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HISTORY 

Oj" 

United  States 


Chronological  Order 

FROM  A,  D,  432  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME 


N E W U K : 

The  World ; 31  k 32  ]'ark  Ro^* 


j’REFACte. 


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Copyright,  1806. 

By  Kobkrt  James  Belford. 


PREFACE. 


The  present  work  gives,  on  a eomewliat  novel  plan,  a complete 
history  of  the  United  States  from  the  earliest  times  t<'>  the  prr.^ent 
day.  No  work  of  the  same  compass  contains  nnytiiing  like  so  full 
and  detailed  a record  of  the  events  of  that  history.  The  work 
being  in  chronological  form,  events  are  recorded  in  tlie  exact  c>rder 
in  which  they  happened;  and,  in  the  case  of  importarit  occurrences, 
the  precise  day  is  given.  The  liistory  is  not  a mere  political  record; 
but  inventions,  discoveries,  and  financial,  economical,  scientific,  art, 
and  literary  matters,  and  the  deaths  of  im]>c»rtant  personages,  are 
noted.  One  unique  merit  of  a history  modelled  on  the  plan  of  the 
present  work  is  that  it  TNill  never  become  antiquated.  Tlie  date 
of  an  important  event,  once  ascertained,  is  fixed  forever.  Not  being 
a matter  of  opinion,  it  is  not  liable  to  change  with  the  flnetnating 
results  of  historical  criticism.  The  future,  consequently,  will  render 
necessary  only  the  addition  of  the  records  of  the  yeai^s  as  tliey 
pass,  so  as  to  keep  the  work  up  to  date.  Though  the  greatest 
care  has  been  taken  to  ensure  accuracy,  it  is  too  much  to  lioi)e 
that,  in  the  immense  mnltipdicity  of  events,  names,  and  dates  recorde^l, 
errors  have  not  crept  in.  Should  the  reader  note  any  sucli,  the 
publishers  will  take  it  as  a favor  to  he  informed  of  them,  with  a 
view  to  their  correction  in  subsequent  editions. 


EmTOH, 


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PREFACE. 


The  present  work  gives,  on  a somevvhat  novel  plan,  a complete 
history  of  the  United  States  from  the  earliest  times  to  the  j^resent 
day.  No  work  of  the  same  compass  contains  anything  like  so  full 
and  detailed  a record  of  the  events  of  that  history.  The  work 
being  in  chronological  form,  events  are  recorded  in  the  exact  order 
0 in  which  they  happened;  and,  in  the  case  of  important  occurrences, 
the  precise  day  is  given.  The  history  is  not  a mere  political  record; 
but  inventions,  discoveries,  and  financial,  economical,  scientific,  art, 
and  literary  matters,  and  the  deaths  of  important  personages,  are 
noted.  One  unique  merit  of  a history  modelled  on  the  jfian  of  the 
present  work  is  that  it  will  never  become  antiquated.  The  date 
of  an  important  event,  once  ascertained,  is  fixed  forever.  N '»t  bein^: 
a matter  of  opinion,  it  is  not  liable  to  change  with  the  fluctuating 
results  of  historical  criticism.  The  future,  consequently,  will  render  ^ 
necessary  only  the  addition  of  the  records  of  the  years  as  they 
pass,  so  as  to  keep  the  work  up  to  date.  Though  the  greatest 
care  has  been  taken  to  ensure  accuracy,  it  is  too  much  to  hope  ’ 
that,  in  the  immense  multiplicity  of  events,  names,  and  dates  recorded,  | 
errors  have  not  crept  in.  Should  the  reader  note  any  such,  the 
publishers  will  take  it  as  a favor  to  be  informed  of  them,  with  a 
viev»  to  their  correction  in  subsequent  editions* 

Editor,  i 


6 »tt  ® ciitEcr 


PRINCIPAL  CONTENTS, 


Pre-historical  - . - « ^ 

Early  voyages  to  America  - - 

Columbus’s  voyages  - - . . 

Voyages  of  the  Cabots,  Verrazzano,  etc. 

De  Soto’s  expedition  - - 

Early  French  settlements  - - 

Spaniards  colonize  Florida  . . - 

Virginia  permanently  colonized  - ^ 

Dutch  colonies  in  New  Netherlands 
The  Pilgrim  Fathers  colonize  Plymouth 
Settlements  in  New  Hampshire  and  New  Jersey  - 
Massachusetts  Bay  Co.  chartered 
The  Dutch  in  Delaware  .... 

Maryland  colonized  - . - . 

Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  settled 
Swedes  colonize  Delaware 
The  Dutch  of  New  Netherlands  annex  Swedish  settlements  in 
Delaware 

Carolina  settled  - - - . . - 

Britain  conquers  the  New  Netherlands  . - - 

Discovery  of  the  northern  Mississippi 
Pennsylvania  colonized  . - - - - 

La  Salle’s  attempted  colonization  in  Texas 
The  English  revolution  of  1688  - - » . 

Mississippi  colonized  by  the  French 
Washington  born 

Britain  conquers  Canada  . - . 

Canada  and  Florida  ceded  to  Britain  • « ^ 

Britain  taxes  the  Colonies  ... 

The  War  of  Independence  begins  - ... 

Declaration  of  Independence 
Burgoyne  surrenders  at  Saratoga 
Cornwallis  surrendei’s  at  Yorktown 

Peace  with  Britain;  the  Inv:teT>endence  of  the  United  -tates 
aoknowledged;  Florida  ceded  to  Spain 
The  Colonies  form  a Federal  Union 
The  fii’st  National  Congress  meets  - - . 

Washington  elected  first  President 
Vermont  admitted  to  the  Union  - 

Naval  warfare  with  France  - • • • 

Death  of  Washington  . • • • • 


SI 

11-13 

13 

13-15 

15-16 

16 

16 

18 

18-19 

20 

21 

22 

22 

23 

24 

25 

80 

83 

34-5 

38 

42 

44-5 

47 

51 

60 

69 

69 

70 

79-80 

82-3 

86 

95 


100-1 

102 

102 

104 

110-1 

111 


Contents  (Continued). 


The  Louisiana  purchase  (1803)  . • . • - 113 

War  with  Great  Britain  (1812-4)  ....  117-9 

Florida  acquired  from  Spain  .....  121-2 

The  Missouri  Compromise  agreed  to  - - - 122 

Seminole  war  in  Florida  .....  143-6 

The  Ashburton  Treaty  signed ; the  boundary  between  Maine 

and  Canada  settled  - - . . . 156 

Fremont’s  explorations,  and  the  opening  up  of  the  Great  West  156-9 
The  Mexican  War  begins  - - - - - 163 

The  Oregon  boundary  question  settled  with  Britain  - 165 

Peace  with  Mexico  ; New  Mexico,  California,  etc.  ceded  to  the 

United  States  ......  168-9 

The  Kansas-Nebraska  Bill  passed,  virtually  annulling  the  Mis- 
souri Compromise  .....  173 

The  Dred-Scott  case  decided  .....  186 

Lincoln  elected  President  .....  195 

South  Carolina  secedes  - • - • - -195 

The  Civil  War  begins  .....  198 

Lincoln’s  Emancipation  Proclamation  - - • 206-7 

The  Draft  Riots  in  New  York  - - - - 211 

Lee  surrenders  to  Grant,  and  the  Civil  War  ends  - - 216 

Lincoln  assassinated  - - - - • 216 

Contest  between  President  Johnson  and  Congress  • - 220 

The  Alaska  purchase  ....  221 

President  Johnson  impeached  .....  222 

Gold  panic  in  New  York  (“  Black  Friday”)  • - 226 

The  Washington  Treaty  signed  ....  229 

The  “ Tweed  Ring”  frauds  exposed  • - - 230 

The  Chicago  fire  - - - • - - 231 

The  Geneva  award  on  the  Alabama  claims  - - 233 

The  Philadelphia  Centennial  Exhibition  - - - 242 

The  Bland  Silver  Bill  passed  ....  250 

Specie  payments  resumed  .....  252 

President  Garfield  assassinated  - - . - 259 

Death  of  Gen.  Grant  269 

Death  of  Prof.  John  C.  Draper  - - - - f 

Appointment  of  Committee  to  investigate  the  actions  of  J acob 

Sharp  and  the  New  York  aldermen  - - - 270 

Death  of  John  B.  Gough,  the  apostle  of  temperance  - 271 

Admission  of  Washington  Territory  as  a State  - - 272 

Earthquake  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  - ^ - - - ^'73 

Bartholdi’s  statue  of  “Liberty”  unveiled  • - - 273 

Death  of  Henry  Ward  Beecher  ...  - 274 

Death  of  Elihu  B.  Washburne  -----  275 

Grand  Centennial  celebrations  - - - - 276 


l^ATRICK  IlEXJiY. 


Rorert  .Morris. 


Joiix  Hancock. 


AleXc  IIa^hetox. 


Our  Revoluiionary  Sires 


J >EX.T  AMI  X J Mi  A A KLIX . 


Gkx.  Charlks  Lke. 


Gex.  Axthoxy  AVayxe. 


Gex.  Tsraex  Putxam, 


Gex,  Xat.  Greex. 


Gex,  Horatio  (^ates. 


Patriot  Revolutionary  Generals. 


LIST  OF  ILLtrSTRATIOKS- 


Presidents  op  the  U.  S. 


PAGE, 

George  Washington Frontispiece. 

John  Adams 12 

Thomas  Jefferson 24 

James  Madison So 

James  Monroe 43 

J ohn  Quincy  Adams 60 

Andrew  Jackson 72 

Martin  Van  Buren 84 

Wm.  Henry  Harrison 90 

John  Tyler lOS 

James  IL  Polk 120 

Zachary  Taylor 132 

Millard  Fillmore 144 

Franklin  Pierce ICG 

J ames  Buchanan 103 

Abraham  Lincoln 130 

Andrew  Johnson  192 

Ulysses  S.  Grant 204 

Kutherfo  d B.  Hayes 210 

J amcs  A.  G irneld 228 

Chester  A.  Arthur 240 

Grover  Cleveland 252 

Benjamin  Harrison 264 


t'  A •'; ■ • • ,-  ■ 

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aU^  ;tv':?at:^  ' ‘ ; -^ . ’.  ■ ■: 


Erratum. 

P.  246. — Strike  outlines  44  and  45,  Edward  K.  Collins  died  in 
1878,  as  stated  on  p.  250, 


HISTORY 

OF  the 

UNITED  STATES 


The  native  races  of  northern  Asia  and  the  Indians  of 
America— both  North  and  South— are  classed  as  beloiijLdng  to 
the  same  Mongoloid  variety  of  tlie  human  race;  but  ^vhethe^ 
America  was  originally  peopled  from  Asia,  or  Asia  from  Amer- 
ica, is  a problem  wliich  i>re-histoiio  research  has  not  yet  solved. 
Columbus,  when  he  touched  land  in  1492,  believed  he  had 
reached  India,  and  consequently  called  the  natives  Indians. 
How  long  the  Continent  had  been  peopled  before  his  advent  is 
unknown,  but  ancient  remains,  such  as  the  mounds  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi valley,  the  pre-historic  copper-mines  soutli  of  Lake 
Superior,  and  tlie  sheh-mou!ids  (kitchen-middings)  along  the 
sea-coasts,  attest  the  fact  than  an  aboriginal  people,  or  most 
likely  two  aboriginal  ireoples,  had  existed  in  what  is  now  the 
United  States  for  an  indefinite  period  extending  over  many 
hundreds  and  perhaps  thousands  of  yea^s.  Our  ancestors,  the 
'oolonists  of  this  country,  found  the  native  Indians  divided  into 
numerous  tribes,  speaking  different  languages  or  dialects.  East 
of  the  Mississipifi  the  chief  of  these,  with  their  probable  num- 
bei'S  about  A.  D.  1650,  were:  the  Algonquin  tribes,  90,000;  the 
Sioux  or  Dakotas,  3000;  tlie  Huron-Iroquois,  17,000;  Catawbas, 
-3000;  Cherokees,  12,000;  Ucbees,  1000;  Natchez,  4000;  and 
Mobilians,  50,000;  or  about  180,000  all  told. 

ifc  - I). 

432.  Fu-sang  (supposed  to  be  America}  Hsited  by  Buddhist  monks  from 
Cliina  who  explore  tiic  coast. 

404.  Hoei-schin  (Universal  Comjiassion)  and  his  companions  start  on 
a second  exploration,  which  may  liave  reached  as  far  as  Sah 
•Bias,  Mex. 

459.  Hoei-schin ’s  report  and  that  of  liis  companions  are  entered  in  the 
Chinese  Year  Books.*^ 


* These  dates  are  from  Johan  Friedrich  Kenmann’s  tnmslations  from 
the  Year  Books.  See  “Zobecij : and  the  Chinese  4n  Aineriwi.  Bnda- 
Pesth,  1849.  ” 1.  e.  Br'itVfh  Miiscum.  “ Fv.sang ; an  Inquiry  Into  Chi- 
nese Discoveries  in  America.  ” New  Y’ork,  1868.  “ The  Discovery 
of  Ameiica.”  Krie,  Pa.,  1866. 


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Jlist07'y  of  the  United  States, 


725.  Irish  monks  make  settlements  on  the  east  and  south  coasts  ef 
Iceland,  which  are  maintained  for  nearly  a century. 

860.  Iceland  discovered  by  the  Norsemen  and  named  Snow-land. 

865.  Flokko  takes  a colon)"  to  Iceland,  l)ut  all  the  cattle  i)erish  in  the 

winter. 

866.  The  colony  returns  to  Norway,  and  the  name  is  changed  to  Ice- 

land. 

874.  Earl  Ingolf  successfully  plants  a colony  in  Iceland,  atReykiavlk, 
876.  Greenland  discovered  by  Gunnibiorn  from  the  mid-channel. 

983.  Eric  the  lied  plants  a colony  in  Greenland  at  Ei-icsford. 

995.  Bjarni  sails  from  Norway  to  find  his  father  in  Greenland.  Driven 
out  of  his  course,  he  sails  along  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia,  New- 
foundland, and  Labrador,  until  lie  reaches  Ilerjulfness  in  Green- 
land. These  are  the  fu  st  Europeans  on  record  who  saw  the 
shores  of  the  continent. 

1000.  Bjarni  having  been  greatly  blamed  in  Norway  for  not  landing  on 

the  unknown  shores,  Lief  the  Lucky,  son  of  Eric,  buys  his  ship, 
and  with  Bjarni  and  35  men  sails  back  along  the  coast.  New- 
foundland is  named  Flatland  ] Nova  Scotia,  Woovlland.  The 
first  landing  is  on  an  island  near  Cape  Cod,  and  a permanent 
camp  is  made  at  ^It.  Hope  Bay,  in  Rhode  Island,  the  country 
being  named  Vinland. 

1001.  Tiie  expedition  returns  to  Greenland  loaded  with  grapes  and 

timber.  Lief  succeeds  his  father. 

1003.  Thorwald,  Eric’s  brother,  leads  a second  expedition  to  Vinland, 

wintering  in  Mt.  Hope  Bay,  and  exploring  Long  Island  Sound 
to  New'  York  Harbor.  A wooden  shed  is  found,  but  no  inhabi- 
tants are  yet  seen  by  any  one. 

1004.  Thorwald  explores  the  New"  England  coast  and  kills  eight  Esqui- 

maux. A skirmish  wdth  others  follow's.  Thorwald  is  lolled,  and 
the  Esquimaux  escape  in  their  skin  boats.  Thorwald  is  buried 
on  the  shore  of  Massachusetts  Bay. 

1005.  The  expedition  returns  loaded  with,  timber  and  fruit. 

1006.  Thorstein  sails  for  Vinland  to  bring  back  his  brother’s  bones,  but 

returns  unsuccessful  and  dies. 

1007.  Thorfinn,  of  Iceland,  and  Thorvard,  Lief’s  brother-in-1  aw',  sail 

with  three  shii)S  and  a colony  of  140  men  and  W’omen  from  Ice- 
land and  Greenland,  and  w'inter  at  Buzzai'd's  Bay,  after  stop- 
ping at  various  i)oints  on  the  New"  England  coast.  Snorri,*  first 
European  child,  born  to  Thorfinn  and  his  W'ife  Gudrid. 

1008.  The  winter  proves  severe  and  ten  colonist  start  back.  Reports 

say  they  land  in  Ireland  and  are  made  slaves.  The  others  con- 
tinue their  voyage  and  settle  at  Mt.  Hope. 

1009.  An  attack  by  Esquimaux  on  the  colony  is  repulsed. 

1010.  The  colony  returns  to  Greenland  w'ith  tw'o  Esquimaux  boys  a? 

prisoners. 

1011.  Tw'o  ships  and  sixty  men  and  women  under  Thorvard  and  Helg. 

sail  for  Lief’s  booths  at  Mt.  Hope.  Their  follow'ers  quarrel 
concxirning  ))Osscssion  of  the  houses,  and  all  Helgi’s  party, 


Ancestor  of  Thorwnldscn,  the  Bcnlpfor,an(l  Magnnsson,  the  scholar. 


Histoj'y  of  the  United  States.  13 

1011.  thirty-seven  ill  number,  are  murdered  by  the  others,  Freydis, 
Thorvard’s  ivife,  killing  five  women  with  an  axe. 

1012.  Tlie  suiTivors  return.  Lief  refuses  to  imuish  his  sister,  Fi'eydis; 

l)ut  the  horrors  of  that  \\dnter  in  Vinland  end  further  attempts 
at  colonization.  * . 

1170.  ^ladoc,  a prince  of  Wales,  according  to  tradition  sails  westward 
with  a fleet,  and  returns  to  report  that  he  liad  left  his  followers 
in  a ideasant  country.  He  departs  again  with  ten  ships,  and  is 
never  heard  from  again. 

1380.  Nicolo  Zeno  sails  into  the  Atlantic  in  search  of  adventures,  rtsits 
Greenland,  and  reports  in  private  letters  the  discovery  of  many 
strange  lands  and  islands  not  now  in  existence. 

1887.  All  the  reports  of  Greenland  voyages  are  collected  in  the  “Codex 
Flatoiensis,  which  is  completed  in  1395,  and  deposited  in  the 
monastery  of  Flato,  Iceland,  f 
1467.  Columbus  visits  Iceland  on  a trading  voyage. 

1484.  Alonzo  Sanchez  is  reported  to  have  been  driven  by  a storm  to  land 
across  the  Atlantic,  and  to  have  found  a refuge  with  Columbus 
on  his  return.  . ■ 

1492.  Columbus,  with  three  vessels,  sails  from  Palos,  in  Spain  (3  Aug.), 

and  discovers  one  of  the  Bahamas  (12  Oct.,  0.  S.).  [Its  identity 
is  yet  undetermined;  some  think  it  was  Cat  Island,  others 
Watling,  otliers  Grand  Turk;  Capt.  Fox,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy, 
thinks  it  was  Samaiia  or  Atwood  Cay.]  Columbus  discoveVs 
Cuba  (28  Oct.) ; Ha^^ti  (6  Dec.),  and  there  builds  a fort  and 
leaves  a settlement  of  39  men  (Villa  de  la  Navidad). 

1493.  He  arrives  in  the  Tagus  (4  MarclO,  and  in  Palos,  Spain  (15  !March); 

sails  fr.m  Cadiz  (25  Sep.);  discovers  Porto  Kico  ^Nov.);  reaches 
Hayti  (12  Nov.),  and  finds  Villa  de  la  Navidad  burnt  and  desert- 
ed; he  founds  Isabella,  Hayti  (Dec.). 

1494.  He  discoyei'S  Jamaica  (3  May). 

1496.  San  Dommgo,  in  Hayti,  is  founded  (4  Aug.). 

1497.  John  and  Sebastian  Cabot  discover  Prima  Vista  (probably  Cape 

Breton),  24  June,  and  coast  along  North  America  for  900  miles. 

1498.  John  Cabot  again  explores  the  North  American  coast. 

1499.  Sebastian  Cabot  explores  the  coast  from  Labrador  to  38®  N.  He 

calls  the  country  Baccallaos. 

1500.  The  Portuguese,  under  Gaspar  Cortereal,  explore  the  coast  be- 

tween 60°  and  50°  N. 

1501.  He  goes  on  a second  expedition,  with  two  ships,  and  brings  away 

57  natives  for  slaves  ; his  ship  is  lost  and  he  is  never  heard  of 
again;  the  other  ship  reaches  Portugal  (8  Get.),  with  7 natives. 


* These  dates  are  taken  from  ‘‘Antiqnitates  Americana;  Antiquarian 
Society  of  Denmark,  Copenhagen;”  and  the  “Codex  Flatoiensis  ” 


t Now  in  the  Royal  Library  at  Copenhagen. 


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Bistory  of  the  United  States.  13 

1-011.  thirty-seven  in  number,  are  murdered  by  the  others,  Freydis, 
Thorvard’s  wife,  killing  five  women  with  an  axe, 

1012.  The  suiwivors  return.  Lief  refuses  to  punish  his  sister,  Freydis; 
but  the  horrors  of  that  winter  in  Vinland  end  further  attempts 
at  colonization.  * 

1170.  Madoc,  a prince  of  Wales,  according  to  tradition  sails  westward 
with  a fieet,  and  returns  to  report  that  he  had  left  his  followers 
in  a pleasant  country.  He  departs  again  with  ten  ships,  and  is 
never  heard  from  again. 

1380,  Nicolo  Zeno  sails  into  the  Atlantic  in  search  of  adventures,  visits 
Greenland,  and  reports  in  private  letters  the  discovery  of  many 
strange  lands  and  islands  not  now  in  existence. 

1887.  All  the  reports  of  Greenland  voyages  are  collected  in  the  ‘‘Codex 
Flatoiensis,  which  is  completed  in  1395,  and  deposited  in  the 
monastery  of  Flato,  Iceland,  f 
1467.  Columbus  visits  Iceland  on  a trading  voyage. 

1484.  Alonzo  Sanchez  is  reported  to  have  been  driven  by  a storm  to  land 
across  the  Atlantic,  and  to  have  found  a refuge  with  Columbus 
on  his  return. 

1492.  Columbus,  with  three  vessels,  sails  from  Palos,  in  Spain  (8  Aug.), 

and  discovers  one  of  the  Bahamas  (12  Oct.,  0.  S.).  [Its  identity 
is  yet  undetermined ; some  think  it  was  Cat  Island,  others 
Watling,  others  Grand  Turk ; Capt.  Fox,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy, 
thinks  it  was  Samana  or  Atwood  Cay.]  Columbus  discovers 
Cuba  (28  Oct.) ; Hayti  (6  Dec.),  and  there  builds  a fort  and 
leaves  a settlement  of  39  men  (Villa  de  la  Navidad). 

1493.  He  arrives  in  the  Tagus  (4  March),  and  in  Palos,  Spain  (15  March); 

sails  fr.m  Cadiz  (25  Sep.);  discovers  Porto  Pico  (Nov.);  reaches 
Hayti  (12  Nov.),  and  finds  Villa  de  la  Navidad  burnt  and  desert- 
ed; he  founds  Isabella,  Hayti  (Dec.). 

1494.  He  discovers  Jamaica  (3  May). 

1496.  San  Domingo,  in  Hayti,  is  founded  (4  Aug.). 

1497.  John  and  Sebastian  Cabot  discover  Prima  Vista  (probably  Cape 

Breton),  24  June,  and  coast  along  North  America  for  900  miles. 

1498.  John  Qabot  again  explores  the  North  American  coast. 

1499.  Sebastian  Cabot  explores  the  coast  from  Labrador  to  38®  N.  He 

calls  the  country  Baccallaos. 

1500.  The  Portuguese,  under  Gaspar  Cortereal,  explore  the  coast  be- 

tween 60^  and  50*  N. 

1501.  He  goes  on  a secopd  expedition,  with  two  ships,  and  brings  away 

57  natives  for  slaves ; h,is  ship  is  lost  and  he  is  never  heard  of 
again;  the  othi^r  Ship  reaches  Portugal  (8  Oct.),  with  7 natives. 


* These  dates  are  taken  from  “ Antiquitates  Americana ; Antiquarian 
Society  of  Denmark,  Copenhagen and  the  “Codex  Flatoiensis  ” 


t Now  in  the  Royal  Library  at  Copenhagen. 


14  History  of  the  United  States 

1501.  Henry  VII.  issues  a patent  to  colonize  the  New  World  ; never 
acted  on.  Negro  slavery  is  authorized  in  Spanish  America 
by  royal  ordinance. 

1604.  French  mariners  establish  fisheries  off  Newfoundland  and  Cape 
Breton,  and  frequent  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

1506.  Jean  Denis  sails  from  Honfleur  to  Newfoundland. 

1508.  Thomas  Aubert  and  Giovanni  da  Verrazzano,  a Florentine, 

with  two  ships,  sail  from  Dieppe  to  Newfoundland  ; discover 
and  name  the  River  St.  Lawrence,  and  ascend  it  about  180 
miles  ; trade  witli  the  natives,  and  carry  7 back  to  France. 

1509.  Juan  de  Esquibal  makes  the  first  Spanish  settlement  in  Ja- 

maica. Borriquen  Island  (Porto  Rico)  is  subjugated,  and 
Juan  Ponce  de  Leon  made  governor. 

1510.  A Spanish  settlement  is  made  at  Santa  Maria  de  la  Antigua, 

on  the  isthmus  of  Darien,  with  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa  as 
governor. 

1511.  Diego  Velasquez,  with  300  Spaniards,  overruns  and  conquers 

Cuba,  and  founds  Baracoa. 

1512.  A Spanish  exjiedition  from  Porto  Rico,  under  Ponce  de  Leon, 

discovers  the  east  coast  of  Florida,  30'’  8'  N.  (2  Ap.),  douliles 
Cape  Florida,  and  explores  the  coast  as  far  as  Apalachee  Bay, 
and  claims  the  country  for  Spain. 

1513  Balboa  crosses  the  isthmus  of  Panama,  and  discovers  the 
Pacific  Ocean  (25  Sep.). 

1514.  Santiago,  in  Cuba,  founded. 

1515.  Velasquez  founds  San  Cristobal,  in  Cuba,  at  the  mouth  of  the 

river  Gliines. 

1516.  Diego  Miruelo,  a Spanish  sea-captain  of  Cuba,  traffics  with  the 

natives  of  Florida. 

1517.  Francisco  Hernandez  de  Cordoba  sails  from  Cuba  (Feb.) ; dis- 

covers and  explores  Yucatan ; touches  at  Florida  ; and  re- 
turns to  Cuba.  S.  Cabot  discovers  the  inland  sea  afterwards 
called  Hudson  Bay. 

1518.  Juan  de  Grijalva  sails  from  Cuba  (1  May),  explores  the  coast 

from  Yucatan  to  Panuco,  and  names  the  country  Mexico. 

1519.  Hernando  Cortez,  with  800  men,  sails  from  Cuba  (18  Feb.)  to 

Mexico,  and  founds  Vera  Cruz;  he  conquers  Mexico  (Nov.). 
The  settlement  at  St.  Cristobal,  Cuba,  is  transferred,  under 
the  name  of  Havana,  to  its  present  site.  Three  ships,  under 
Alonso  Alvarez  de  Pineda  (sent  by  Francisco  de  Garay,  gov- 
ernor of  Jamaica),  explore  the  coast  from  Florida  to  Panuco 
in  Mexico,  passing  the  mouth  of  the  “River  of  the  Holy 
Spirit”  (Mississippi) ; Alvarez  and  many  of  his  followers  are 
killed  by  the  natives. 

1520.  Spaniards  from  Hayti,  under  Lucas  Vasquez  de  Ay  lion,  explore 

the  coast  of  Chicora  and  Gualdape  (S.  Carolina  and  Georgia), 
as  far  as  the  river  Jordan  (Santee,  or  Combahee),  and  take  ofl 
two  ship-loads  of  natives  for  slaves  ; one  of  the  ships  is  lost. 
1621.  Ponce  de  Leon  returns  to  Florida,  but  is  mortally  wounded  by 
the  natives,  and  his  party  is  beaten  off. 

1524.  Verrazzano  sails  with  two  ships  from  France  ; reaches  Madeira ; 
sails  thence  with  one  ship  (17  Jan.);  reaches  Awova  Terra, 
“the  New  Land”  (10  Mar.,  O.  S.),  in  lat.  34°  N.  (near  Cape 
Fear,  N.  C.) ; explores  the  coast  from  Florida  to  Newfound- 


History  of  the  United  States,  15 

land — passes  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake  in  the  night;  lands 
and  sights  Chesapeake  Bay,  believing  it  to  be  the  Western 
Sea  (the  Pacific  or  Indian  Ocean,  Mare  Indicum) ; discovers 
(Ap.)  the  Cape  of  St.  Mary  (Sandy  Hook),  the  Narrows,  Upper 
New  York  Bay,  and  the  mouth  of  the  Grande ” or  “ Great” 
River  (the  Hudson) ; coasts  along  Long  Island ; discovers 
Luisa  Island  (Block  Island,  R.  1.) ; anchors  in  Narragansett 
Bay  (21  Ap.  to  6 May,  O.  S.) ; discovers  Martha’s  Vineyard 
and  Nantucket;  coasts  along  Maine  to  43°  N.,  and  thence  to 
50°  N.,  and  sails  to  France,  reaching  Dieppe  (July).  He  held 
intercourse  and  traded  with  the  natives  at  various  points, 
and  claimed  for  France  the  whole  territory,  which  soon 
became  known  as  Francesca.  The  portion  from  the  Great 
River  (Hudson)  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  became  known  as 
La  Terre  d'Anormee  Berge,  “ the  Land  of  the  Grand  Scarp,” 
so  called  from  the  Palisades  on  the  Hudson,  afterwards  ab- 
breviated into  Noromberge,  Noremberge,  Norumberge,  or 
Norumbega. 

1585.  De  Ayllon  sails  from  Hayti,  with  6 vessels,  and  500  men  ; 
again  visits  Chicora,  but  over  200  are  killed  by  the  natives, 
150  arrive  at  Hayti ; Ayllon  dies  (18  Oct.). — A Spanish  ship, 
under  Stephen  Gomez,  enters  the  bays  of  “the  Land  of 
Gomez  ” (New  York  and  New  England)  in  search  of  a north- 
west passage  to  the  Pacific,  and  carries  off  a cargo  of  Indians 
as  slaves. 

1526.  Verrazzano  makes  a third  voyage  to  America,  but  he  and 
some  of  his  men  are  killed,  roasted,  and  eaten  by  the  natives 
in  presence  of  those  on  board  ship. 

1528.  A party  of  300  Spaniards,  under  Pamphilo  de  Narvaez,  land 
(probably  in  Apalachee  Bay,  Fiac),  journey  800  miles  through 
the  interior,  embark  at  Pensacola,  but  are  lost  at  sea  except 
four  survivors,  who,  after  eight  years  of  hardship,  reach  the 
Pacific,  at  Sonora,  through  Mexico. 

1534.  Jacques  Cartier,  under  a commission  from  Francis  I.,  leaves 

France  (20  Ap.),  lands  in  and  takes  possession  of  Labrador  for 
France  ; discovers  the  Strait  of  Belleisle  ; enters  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence ; sails  for  France  (15  Aug.) ; reaches  St.  Malo 
(5  Sep.). 

1535.  Grijalva’s  expedition  from  Mexico,  equipped  by  Cortes,  dis- 

covers California. 

1535.  Cartier  ascends  the  St.  Lawrence  as  far  as  Hochelaga  (Montreal) 

and  claims  the  country  (New  France  or  Canada)  for  France. 
He  winters  near  Quebec,  and  returns  to  France  (May,  1536) 
with  10  kidnapped  Indians,  reaching  St.  Malo  (6  July). 

1536.  Cabeza  de  Vaca,  a Spaniard,  traverses  New  Mexico,  Colorado, 

and  Arizona,  visiting  Zuni,  N.  M.,  and  reaches  the  Pacific  at 
Sonora. 

1538.  Havana  is  partially  destroyed  by  pirates. 

1639-43.  Fernando  de  Soto,  with  600  Spaniards,  sails  from  Havana 
(May,  1539) ; journeys  through  Florida  and  Georgia  ; fights  a 
battle  with  the  natives  (Oct.  1540)  at  Mavilla  (on  the  Alabama, 
below  Selma,  Ala.) ; discovers  the  Mississippi  (1541) ; pushes 
north-west  to  the  Ozark  Mountains  ; and  returning  discovers 
the  Hot  Springs,  and  the  Arkansas  and  Red  Rivers,  and  dies 


16  History  of  the  United  StaU/^. 

of  fever  near  the  site  of  Natchez  (21  May,  1541),  and  is  i)uried 
in  the  Mississippi.  His  followers  attempt  vainly  to  leach 
Mexico  by  land  ; return  to  the  Mississippi,  build  boats,  d(3scend 
the  river  (June,  1543),  and  make  their  way  along-  the  coast  to 
the  river  Panuco,  Mexico,  which  is  reached  by  311  survivors 
(Sep.  1543). 

1540.  Jean  Fran9ois  de  la  Roque,  Sieur  de  Robei  val,  is  made  viceroy 

of  New  France  (16  Jan.).  About  this  date  French  fur-factors 
erect  a fortified  trading-house  (called  Le  Fort  (VAnormee 
Ber^)  on  an  island  in  a small  fresh-water  lake  on  Manhattan 
Island.  About  this  date  they  also  partly  build  a castle  on 
Castle  Island  (now  Van  Rensselaer’s  Island),  in  the  Giand 
River  (Hudson),  near  the  site  of  Albany,  but  the  structure  is 
damaged  by  a freshet  and  abandoned.  [The  fresh- water  lake 
on  Manhattan  Island  then  covered  the  district  between  what 
are  now  Franklin,  Elm,  Duane,  and  Baxter  Streets,  and  emp- 
tied into  the  Hudson  at  Canal  Street.  In  1796  Joim  Fitch 
navigated  his  steamboat  on  this  lake,  which  was  then  called 
the  Collect  Pond.] 

1541.  Cartier  sails  from  St.  Malo  (May),  erects  a temporary  fort  at 

Quebec,  winters  at  Hochelaga,  and  returns  to  France  (June, 
1542). 

1542.  A French  expedition  under  Roberval,  with  Jean  Alphonse  as 

pilot,  sails  to  America,  explores  Long  Island  Sound,  and  as- 
cends the  Norombegue  or  Grand  River  (Hudson)  to  the  head 
of  navigation  ; but  the  French  abandon  the  country  in  1543. 
1542.  Spaniards  from  Mexico,  under  (’abrillo,  a Portuguese,  trace  the 
Pacific  coast  as  far  as  43°  30'  N.  (the  Umpqua  River,  Oregon). 
1547.  Puritanism  takes  its  rise  in  England  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
VI. 

1549.  Roberval  /s  said  to  have  again  sailed  from  France  for  America, 
but  he  never  returned,  and  probably  perished  at  sea. 

1549.  Louis  Cancello,  a Spanish  Dominican,  goes  to  Florida  c-s  a 
missionary,  but  is  killed  by  the  natives,  and  his  party  is 
beaten  off. 

1556.  Andre  Thevet,  a French  geographer,  on  his  return  from  Brazil 
to  France,  coasts  along  North  America  from  Florida  to  New- 
foundland. 

1562.  French  Huguenots,  under  Jean  Ribault,  discover  the  river 
May  (the  San  Matheo  of  the  Spaniards,  now  the  St.  Johns), 
Florida  (Ap.) ; build  at  Port  Royal  (S.  C.)  a fort,  named  Caro- 
lina after  Charles  IX.  ; and  leave  26  colonists.  They  are  re- 
duced by  famine  ; the  remnant  embark,  and  are  packed  up  by 
an  English  vessel. 

1562.  Sir  John  Hawkins  transports  a cargo  of  negroes  from  Africa 
to  Hayti,  and  so  begins  the  English  slave-trade. 

1564.  A French  expedition,  under  Rene  Goulaine  de  Laudonniere  and 

Ribault,  reaches  Florida  (22  June),  erects  Fort  Carolina  at  the 
mouth  of  the  May  (St.  Johns),  and  leaves  a colony. 

1565.  These  colonists  are  relieved  by  Hawkins  (May) ; afterwards  bj 

Ribault.  An  expedition  from  Spain  under  Pedro  Menendez 
de  Aviles  drives  off  Ribault’s  fleet  (Aug.),  and  founds  St. 
Augustine  (8  Sep.),  the  oldest  town  in  the  U.  S.  Ribault’s 
fleet  is  wrecked  on  the  coast.  Monendez  captures  Fort  Caro- 


Gex.  Btthgoyne. 


British  Revolutionary  Generals. 


Lord  Coryavallis. 


Lord  IkAavdox. 


.Sir  IIfxrt  Cuxtox. 


i\lAjr)R  Axrjje. 


History  of  the  Unitul  States, 


17 


lina,  massacres  nearly  200  men,  T\*omen,  and  children  (21  Sep.), 
only  a few  escaping  ; he  also  massacres  the  survivors  from 
the  sliipwreck.  v 

1567.  A French  expedition  under  Dominic  de  Go’'rges  attack  the 
Sj)aniards  at  Fort  Carolina,  Fla.,  with  partial  success  ; hang 
all  their  prisoners  (3  May,  1568)  in  revenge  for  the  massacre  : 
but  return  to  France,  and  Spain  retains  dominion  over 
Florida. 

1578.  One  hundred  and  fifty  French  vessels  are  engaged  in  the  New- 

foundland fisheries. 

1579.  Drake  sails  along  the  Pacific  coast  as  far  as  43°  N.  (Cape  Blanco, 

Oregon),  naming  the  country  New  Albion. 

1580.  The  rise  of  the  Independents  in  England  under  Robert  Brown. 

1584.  Philip  Amidas  and  Arthur  Barlow,  sent  out  by  Raleigh,  land 

on  Wocoken  Island  (N.  C.)  in  July;  take  possession  of  the 
coutttiy  in  the  name  of  the  Queen,  who  names  it  Virginia  ; 
and  return  to  England  (Sep.)  Avith  2 natives. 

1585.  Sir  Richard  Grenville,  acting  for  Raleigh,  leaves  a colon}’  on 

Roanoke  Island  (N.  C.),  under  Ralph  Lane. 

1586.  These  colonists  massacre  the  Indians  and  explore  the  coast. 

Drake  arrives  (June),  and  takes  them  back  to  England,  where 
they  introduce  tobacco  and  the  potato.  Shortly  afterward 
Grenville  arrives  and  leaves  another  colony  of  15  on  Roanoke 
Island. 

1587.  A fleet  under  John  White,  sent  by  Raleigh,  arrives  and  finds 

the  colony  destroyed  by  the  Indians  (July).  - He  leaves 
another  colony  of  108,  builds  a fort,  and  founds  Raleigh. 
Virginia  Dare,  the  first  English  child  born  in  the  U.  S.,  is 
born.  Two  vessels,  despatched  by  Raleigh  to  relieve  the 
colony,  are  di-iven  back  by  the  Spaniards. 

1590.  Wliite  sails  to  Roanoke,  finds  the  colony  destro3’ed,  and  returns 
to  England.  The  fate  of  the  colonists  has  never  been  ascer- 
tained. 

1597.  Two  Dutch  expeditions  (under  Bikkor  and  Leyen)  voyage  to 

America. 

1598.  The  Marquis  de  la  Roche  forms  a temporary  French  settlement 

on  Sable  Island,  oil  Nova  Scotia. 

1600.  A written  plan  for  a Dubfi  AVest  India  Co.  is  communicated  to 
the  States-General,  but  is  not  acted  on. 

1602.  An  English  expedition  under  Bartholomew  Gosnold,  sent  by 

the  Earl  of  Southampton,  discovers  Massachusetts  Bay,  lands 
at  Ca]>e  Cod  (14  May),  builds  on  Cuttyhunk  (one  of  the  Eliza- 
beth Islands)  the  fii*st  house  in  Massachusetts,  and  a fort,  be- 
gins a colony  there,  and  trafiics  with  the  natives  ; all  return 
to  England  (June), 

1603.  Henry  IV.  makes  Samuel  de  Champlain  geneml-lieutenant 

of  Canada  ; he  sails  from  Honfleur  (15  Mar.),  enters  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  selects  Qucbe<’  as  a site  for  a fort.  Henry  IV. 
grants  (Nov.)  to  De  Monts  the  tei  ritory  (Acedia!  from  40°  to 
46'  N.  (be.,  from  the  latitude  of  Philadelphia  to  that  of  Mon- 
treal). 

1603.  Queen  Elizabeth  dies  (24  Mar.) ; James  I.  succeeds.  Martin 
Pring  sails  from  England  (Ap.),  and  explores  the  coast  of 
Maine  and  Massachusetts. 


17 


History  tue  United  States. 

lina,  massacres  nearly  200  men,  women,  and  children  (21  Sep.), 
only  a few  escaping* ; he  also  massacres  the  survivors  from 
the  shipwreck. 

1567.  A French  expedition  under  Dominic  de  Go’’rges  attack  the 
Spaniards  at  Fort  Carolina,  Fla.,  with  partial  success  ; hang 
all  their  prisoners  (3  May,  1568)  in  revenge  for  the  massacre  ; 
but  return  to  France,  and  Spain  retains  dominion  over 
Florida. 

1578.  One  hundred  and  fifty  French  vessels  are  engaged  in  the  New- 

foundland fisheries. 

1579.  Drake  sails  along  the  Pacific  coast  as  far  as  43°  N.  (Cape  Blanco, 

Oregon),  naming  the  country  New  Albion. 

1580.  Tiie  rise  of  the  Independents  in  England  under  Robert  Brown. 

1584.  Philip  Aniidas  and  Arthur  Barlow,  sent  out  by  Raleigh,  land 

on  VVocoken  Island  (N.  C.)  in  July  ; take  possession  of  the 
country  in  tne  name  of  the  Queen,  who  names  it  Virginia  ; 
and  return  to  England  (Sep.)  with  2 natives. 

1585.  Sir  Richard  Grenville,  acting  for  Raleigh,  leaves  a colony  on 

Roanoke  Island  (N.  C.),  under  Ralph  Lane. 

1586.  Tiiese  colonists  massacre  the  Indians  and  explore  the  coast- 

Drake  arrives  (June),  and  takes  them  back  to  England,  where 
they  introduce  tobacco  and  the  potato.  Shortly  afterward 
Grenville  arrives  and  leaves  another  colony  of  15  on  Roanoke 
Island. 

1587.  A fleet  under  John  White,  sent  by  Raleigh,  arrives  and  finds 

the  colony  destroyed  by  the  Indians  (July).  He  leaves 
another  colony  of  108,  builds  a fort,  and  founds  Raleigh. 
Virginia  Dare,  the  first  English  child  born  in  the  U.  S.,  is 
born.  Two  vessels,  despatched  by  Raleigh  to  relieve  the 
colony,  are  driven  back  by  the  Spaniards. 

1590.  White  sails  to  Roanoke,  finds  the  colony  destroyed,  and  returns 
to  England.  The  fate  of  the  colonists  has  never  been  ascer- 
tained. 

1597.  Two  Dutch  expeditions  (under  Bikker  and  Leyen)  voyage  to 

America. 

1598.  The  Marquis  de  la  Roche  forms  a temporary  French  settlement 

on  Sable  Island,  off  Nova  Scotia. 

1600.  A written  plan  for  a Dutch  West  India  Co.  is  communicated  to 
the  States-General,  but  is  not  acted  on. 

1602.  An  English  expedition  under  Bartholomew  Gosnold,  sent  by 

the  Earl  of  Southampton,  discovers  Massachusetts  Bay,  land 
at  Cape  Cod  (14  May),  builds  on  Cuttyhunk  (one  of  the  Elii/ 
beth  Islands)  the  first  house  in  Massachusetts,  and  a fort,  be- 
gins a colony  there,  and  traffics  with  the  natives  ; all  return 
to  England  (June)- 

1603.  Henry  IV.  makes  Samuel  de  Champlain  general-lieutenant 

of  Canada  ; he  sails  from  Honfleur  (15  Mar.),  enters  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  selects  Quebec  as  a site  for  a fort.  Henry  IV. 
grants  (Nov.)  to  De  Monts  the  territory  (Acadia)  from  40°  to 
46°  N.  (i.e.,  from  the  latitude  of  Philadelphia  to  that  of  Mon- 
treal). 

1603>  Queen  Elizabeth  dies  (24  Mar.) ; James  I.  succeeds.  Martin 
Pring  sails  from  England  (Ap.),  and  explores  the  coast  of 
Maine  and  Massachusetts. 


18 


History  of  the  United  IStatesk 

1604.  De  Monts  sails  from  France  (Mar.),  and  attempts  a settle- 
ment and  erects  a fort  on  St.  Croix  Island  (Maine) ; Poutrin- 
court,  one  of  De  Monts’  leaders,  settles  at  Port  Royal  (Nova 
Scotia). 

1604.  James  I.  threatens  to  make  the  Puritans  conform  or  “harry 

them  out  of  the  kingdom  or  else  worse.” 

1605.  Champlain  and  De  Monts  sail  from  France  ; remove  the  French 

colony  from  St.  Croix  to  Port  Royal  (N.  S.);  visit  the  river 
St.  John  (N.  B.)  and  Grand  Manan  Island  ; explore  the  coast 
as  far  as  Cape  Cod  ; and  claim  the  country  for  Fi  ance. 
Champlain  returns  to  France  in  1607,  and  Port  Royal  is  de- 
serted in  a few  years. 

1605.  George  Weymouth,  sent  by  the  Earl  of  Southampton,  explores 

the  coast  of  Maine  (May),  enters  the  Penobscot,  and  carries 
home  five  natives. 

1606.  Pring  again  explores  the  coast  of  Maine. 

1606.  James  I.  grants  a patent  (10  Ap.)  to  colonize  “ Virginia”  to 

two  companies : one  for  Southern  Virginia  (34 -38'’  N.),  the 
London  Co.;  the  other  for  Northern  Virginia  (41°-45°  N.),  the 
West  of  England  Co. ; the  intermediate  district  (38°-41°  N.' 
open  to  both  companies.  The  London  Co.  sends  3 ships  witl 
105  emigrants,  under  Newport,  Gosnold,  and  John  Smith,  to 
Southern  Virginia  (19  Dec.). 

1607.  The  expedition  enters  Chesapeake  Bay  (26  Ap.\  and  founds 

at  Jamestown  (14  May)  the  first  permanent  English  colony  in 
the  United  States  ; 50  die  before  Sep.,  including  Gosnold. 
Smith,  while  exploring  the  Chickahominy,  is  captured  by 
Indians  (Dec.),  but  after  about  three  weeks’  detention  is  sent 
back  by  Powhatan  to  Jamestown.  The  story  as  to  his  life 
being  saved  by  Pocahontas  is  apocryphal,  having  been  in- 
vented by  Smith  some  years  afterwards. 

1607.  The  West  of  England  Co.  send  two  ships,  under  Raleigh  Gilbert 

and  George  Popham,  to  colonize  “ Northern  Virginia ; ” they 
arrive  at  the  Sagadahoc  (Kennebec),  Maine  (Aug.),  and  leave 
45  emigrants  at  “ St.  George  ; ” but  Popham  dies,  they  suffer 
hardship,  and  return  to  England  in  1608. 

1608.  Puritans  (“Pilgrims”)  under  Robinson  and  Brewster  leave 

England  to  escape  persecution,  and  settle  at  Leyden,  in  Hol- 
land. 

1608.  Champlain,  acting  for  merchants  of  Dieppe  and  St.  Malo,  sails 

from  France,  and  founds  Quebec,  the  first  permanent  French 
settlement  in  Canada. 

1609.  He  allies  with  the  Hurons  against  the  Iroquois  (Five  Nations), 

and  in  company  with  Hurons  discovers  and  explores  Lake 
Champlain.  (The  Five  Nations  were  the  Onondagas,  Sene 
cas,  Cayugas,  Oneidas,  and  Mohawks ; they  occupied  the 
country  south  of  Lake  Ontario,  from  the  Niagara  River  to  tht 
Hudson.) 

1609.  An  Anglo-Dutch  expedition  under  Henry  Hudson,  sent  by  the 
Dutch  East  India  Co.,  sails  from  Amsterdam  (4  Ap.),  sights 
Cape  Cod  and  names  the  country  New  Holland  ; discovers 
Delaware  Bay  (28  Ai^.);  enters  Lower  New  York  Bay  (3  Sep.), 
and  the  Hudson  (11  Sep.),  which  he  ascends  beyond  Albany; 
he  names  the  country  New  Netherlands. 


iJisiory  of  the  CTnited  IStates. 


19 


1609.  A new  charter  to  the  London  Co.  (23  May)  limits  their  territory 

to  200  miles  north  of  Old  Point  Comfort.  Smith’s  administra- 
tion gives  dissatisfaction  to  the  colonists,  and  he  is  deposed 
and  sent  to  England  (Sep. ).  The  Co.  appoint  Lord  Delaware 
governor. 

1610.  Lord  Delaware  arrives  in  Virginia  with  emigrants  and  supplies 

(June),  but,  falling  ill,  returns  home  ; the  colonists  number 
about  200. 

1610.  The  Dutch  put  up  a few  rude  hovels  on  Manhattan  Island,  as 

a temporary  summer  shelter  for  the  sailors  ; the  origin  of 
New  York  City. 

1611.  Sir  Thomas  Dale  arrives  in  Virginia  as  governor,  with  emi- 

grants (10  May),  and,  to  save  the  colony  from  anarchy  and 
ruin,  he  institutes  martial  law.  Sir  Thomas  Gates  arrives 
as  governor  (Aug.),  with  6 ships  and  300  emigrants,  making 
700  colonists  in  all.  Dale  founds  Henrico  (now  Richmond). 

1611.  French  Jesuit  priests  arrive  in  Acadia  (June),  and  convert 

some  natives. 

1612.  A third  charter  of  “ Southern  Virginia  ” is  granted  to  the  Lon- 

don Co.  (Mar.),  creating  a democratic  form  of  government. 
Lotteries  are  established,  which  bring  the  Co.  £29,000. 

1612.  De  Biencourt  and  Father  Biart  explore  the  coast  of  Maine  as 

far  as  the  Kennebec,  ascend  the  river,  and  acquire  the  friend- 
ship of  the  Abenakis,  Algonquins,  and  Canibas. 

1613.  Captain  Samuel  Argali  captures  Pocahontas,  who  is  baptized 

and  marries  John  Rolfe  (5  Ap.),  and  is  thenceforth  known  as 
Rebecca  Rolfe. 

1613.  De  Saussaye  (or  Saucy)  erects  a French  colony  at  St.  Sauveur, 

Mount  Desert  Island,  Maine.  Native  converts  perform  re- 
ligious services.  Argali,  in  an  armed  vessel  from  Virginia, 
captures  and  pillages  St.  Sauveur,  and  destroys  De  Monts’ 
deserted  settlements  at  St.  Croix  and  Port  Royal.  He  enters 
New  York  Harbor  and  finds  some  hovels  erected  by  the 
Dutch  on  Manhattan  Island. 

1614.  Gates  returns  to  England,  leaving  Dale  as  deputy-governor  of 

Virginia.  Tobacco  is  widely  planted  and  becomes  the  staple 
product  and  currency.  White  servants  begin  to  be  bought 
in  England  for  service  in  Virginia,  to  be  resold  there  to  the 
highest  bidder. 

1614.  John  Smith  sails  from  England  (Ap.),  and  explores  the  coast 
from  the  Penobscot  to  Cape  Cod,  and  names  the  country 
New  England. 

1614.  The  Dutch  States-General  grants  a four-years’  monopoly  of 

trade  to  adventurers  trading  with  America ; the  Dutch  erect 
a rude  fort  on  Manhattan  Island,  and  call  it  New  Amsterdam 
(now  New  York)  ; Adrian  Blok  sails  through  East  River  and 
discovers  Long  Island  to  be  an  island. 

1614  Le  Caron,  a Franciscan,  penetrates,  by  way  of  Canada,  the 
country  of  the  Mohawks  south-east  of  Lake  Ontario. 

1615.  The  Dutch  establish  a commercial  post  at  Auranea  or  Orange 

(now  Albany),  on  Castle  Island  in  the  Hudson,  on  the  site 
of  the  castle  begun  by  the  French  about  1540. 

1616.  Governor  Dale  and  Pocahontas  go  to  England  (June) ; during 

the  winter  she  becomes  the  most  distinguished  person  in 


20  History  of  the  United  States. 

London  society.  — English  colonists,  under  Richard  Vines, 
settle  temporarily  at  Winter  Harbor,  Maine. 

1617.  Pocahontas  dies  in  England  (Mar.),  aged  21  or  22,  leaving  one 

son,  Thomas  Rolfe.  Argali  is  appointed  deputy-governor  of 
Virginia  (May) ; he  rules  tyrannic*ally  ; martial  law  is  still  in 
force. 

1618.  Powhatan,  father  of  Pocahontas,  dies;  Opechancanough  suc- 

ceeds. 

1618.  The  mutineers  of  Rocraft  winter  on  Monhegan  Island,  Maine. 

The  Dutch  establish  a trading  station  at  Bergen,  on  Kill  van 
Kull  (N.  J.). 

1619.  Argali  is  removed  from  the  governorship  of  Virginia  ; Sir 

George  Yeardley,  his  successor,  arrives  (Ap.),  and  convenes 
(19  June)  at  Jamestown  a colonial  assembly,  based  on  univer- 
sal suffrage,  the  first  representative  body  in  America.  1261 
emigrants  are  sent  out,  including  90  young  women  for  wives, 
and  100  convicts  to  be  sold  as  “servants.” 

1620.  Champlain  begins  Fort  St.  Louis,  at  Quebec. 

1620.  Sixty  young  women,  sent  to  Virginia  as  wives,  are  bought  at 
from  120  to  150  lbs.  of  tobacco  each.  Tobacco  is  worth  3s.  a 
lb.  The  commerce  of  Virginia,  hitherto  monopolizea  by  the 
London  Co.,  is  made  free.  A Dutch  man-of-war  lands  20 
negroes  for  sale  at  Jamestown  (Aug.),  and  so  introduces  negro 
slavery  and  the  slave-trade.  The  conditional  servitude  of 
whites,  under  indentures,  had  from  the  first  existed  in  Vir- 
ginia, the  “servants”  becoming  a common  article  of  traffic, 
salable  for  from  £40  to  £60.  During  the  next  three  years 
3500  emigrants  arrive  from  England. 

1620.  The  Pilgrim  Fathers,  under  Brewster,  leave  Holland  (22  July), 
and  England  (6  Sep.)  in  the  Mayflower  ; sight  land  (7  Nov.) ; 
moor  in  Cape  Cod  Harbor  and  adopt  a constitution  (9  Nov., 
O.  S.) ; coast  for  a landing-place  ; repel  an  attack  of  Indians  ; 
and  finally  land  at  Plymouth  Rock  (21  Dec.,  N.  S.),  101  souls 
in  all,  one  having  been  accidentally  drowned.  John  Carver 
is  elected  governor.  One-half  perish  from  cold  and  hardship 
before  spring.  The  Mayflower  returns  to  England  (5  Ap., 
1621). 

1620.  At  the  instance  of  John  Smith,  James  I.  grants  to  the  Plym- 

outh Co.,  of  England,  consisting  of  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges 
and  39  others,  a patent  to  colonize  “New  England,”  between 
40°  and  48°  N.,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  The  House 
of  Commons  strongly  opposes  this  charter. 

1621.  The  Plymouth  Co.  grants  to  John  Mason  the  land  between  the 

Salem  and  the  head  of  the  Merrimac  (Mar. ) ; to  the  Pilgrims 
their  territory  (1  June) ; a/./^.  to  Sir  W.  Alexander  the  terri- 
tory east  of  the  St.  Croix  and  south  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 
called  Nova  Scotia,  and  including  Acadia  (Sep.). 

1621.  The  Pilgrims  make  a treaty  of  amity  with  the  Pokanokets 
under  Massasoit  (Mar.) ; Carver  dies  (5  Ap.),  Wm.  Bradford  is 
elected  governor  in  his  place.  Other  chiefs  submit  to  James  I. 
(Sep.).,  including  Canonicus,  v'hief  of  the  Narragansetts. 

1621.  Cotton  is  first  planted  in  Virginia.  The  London  Co.  grants 
(24  July)  a constitution  to  Virginia,  conferring  self-govern- 
ment and  trial  by  jury,  which  Sh*  Francis  Wyatt,  the  new 


History  of  the  United  States.  21 

governor,  takes  to  the  colony,  l^k  culture  engages  Ifee  at* 
tention  of  the  assembly  (Nov.-Dee.).  < I 

1621.  The  Dutch  West  India  Co.,  with  rights  from  the  Straits  of 

Magellan  to  the  farthest  north,  is  incorporated  for  24  years 
(June).  It  takes  possession  of  the  New  Netherlands  in  1622. 

1622.  In  revenge  for  the  murder  of  an  Indian  brave,  the  Indians 

massacre  the  colonists  in  Virginia  (22  Mar.) ; 347  killed,  many 
plantations  deserted,  and  their  number  reduced  from  80  to 
8.  Intermittent  warfare  results  for  24  years,  until  1646. 

1622.  The  Plymouth  Co.  grant  to  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  and  John 

Mason  the  territory  (“Laconia'’)  between  the  St.  Lawrence, 
Merrimac,  Kennebec,  and  the  ocean  (Aug.). 

1623.  Tlie  Virginia  colonists  number  2500  ; they  attack  the  Indians 

(July). 

1623.  An  English  Co.  settle  Portsmouth  and  Dover,  on  the  Piscat- 
aqua,  under  Gorges  and  Mason’s  grant.  Weston,  under  a 
grant  from  the  Plymouth  Co. , fails  in  an  attempt  to  found  a 
colony  of  60  persons  at  Wessagussett  (now  Weymouth,  Mass.); 
the  first  plantation  in  Boston  Harbor.  The  colony  is  renewed 
in  1624,  but  fails  again.  Capt.  Christopher  Levett  explores 
the  coast  of  Maine,  and  builds  a house  near  the  site  of  Port- 
land, but  does  not  make  a permanent  settlement. 

1623.  Cornelius  Mey  discovers  Cape  Mey,  builds  Fort  Nassau  on 

Timber  Creek  (below  Camden,  N.  J.),  and  claims  the  country 
for  the  Dutch.  Nassau  is  abandoned  before  1631.  The 
country  from  Cape  Cod  to  Delaware  Bay  becomes  known  as 
New  Netherlands.  The  first  permanent  settlements  are  made 
on  Manhattan  Island  and  Long  Island  (Walloon  Bay),  and 
Fort  Orange  (Albany)  is  erected. 

1624.  Danes  settle  in  New  Jersey. 

1624.  The  London  Co.’s  charter  of  Virginia  is  declared  void  under  a 
quo  warranto,  and  James  I.  makes  it  a royal  province  ; Sir 
F.  Wyatt  is  continued  as  governor. 

1624.  Roger  Conant,  as  agent  of  the  Plymouth  Co.,  founds  a settle- 
ment near  Cape  Anne,  Mass.  The  continued  opposition  of 
the  House  of  Commons  paralyzes  the  Co.,  and  squatters 
colonize  the  coast  from  Cape  Cod  to  the  Bay  of  Fundy.  York 
(Maine)  is  settled  about  this  date. 

1624.  Peter  Minuit  is  made  director-general  of  the  New  Netherlands. 

1625.  James  I.  dies  (27  Mar.) ; Charles  I.  succeeds. 

1625.  The  Cape  Anne  settlers  return  to  England,  except  Roger 
Conant  and  three  others,  who  leave  Cape  Anne  and  found 
Naumkeag  (now  Salem). 

1625.  Jesuit  priests  go  from  France  to  Canada. 

1625.  Agents  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Co.  buy  Manhattan  Island 

from  the  natives  for  goods  worth  60  guilders  (about  $24).  The 
first  European  child  is  born  on  Long  Island. 

1626.  Peter  Minuit,  director-general  of  New  Netherlands,  arrives  at 

New  Amsterdam  (4  May) ; he  begins  Fort  Amsterdam. 

1626.  Pemaquid  (Bristol),  Maine,  settled. 

1626.  Wyatt,  governor  of  Virginia,  returns  to  Scotland ; Sir  G. 
Yeardley  succeeds  him. 

1626.  A Swedish  Colonization  Co.  is  sanctioned  by  Gustavus  Adol- 
phus ; incorporated,  May,  1627. 


22 


1627. 

1627. 

1627. 

1628. 

* 1628. 


1629. 


1629. 

1629. 

1629. 

1630. 
1630. 
1630. 

1630. 

1630. 


History  of  the  United  States, 

War  between  England  and  France  ; it  lasts  till  1629. 

The  Dutch  of  New  Netherlands  exchange  courtesies  with  the 
Pilgrims  ; De  Razier  goes  as  envoy  to  Plymouth  (Oct.). 

Yeardley,  governor  of  Virginia,  dies  (Nov.) ; Francis  West  is 
elected  governor. 

The  first  clergyman  arrives  in  New  Amsterdam.  The  English 
capture  Port  Royal,  N.  S.  Virginia  enacts  tliat  no  treaty 
shall  be  made  with  the  Indians. 

The  Plymouth  Co.  grant  to  John  Endicott  and  25  others  the 
territory  from  three  miles  south  of  Massachusetts  Bay  to 
three  miles  north  of  the  furthest  point  of  the  Merrimac,  be- 
tween the  Atlantic  and  the  Pacific  (19  Mar.).  He  sails  with 
emigrants  to  Naumkeag  (Salem),  wliere  Conant  welcomes 
them  (Sep.). 

Endicott’s  Co.  is  chartered  as  “ The  Governor  and  Company  of 
the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England  ” (4  Mar.) ; Matthew 
Cradock  is  elected  governor.  Rev.  Francis  Higginson  arrives 
in  Salem  with  200  emigrants  (June),  and  finds  only  about  10 
hovels  there.  He  founds  Charlestown  (4  July),  and  estab- 
lishes Puritanism,  to  which  some  object,  and  J.  and  S. 
Browne  are  sent  back  to  England.  Eighty  die  before  spring, 
including  Higginson.  The  Co.  in  England  assign  the  charter 
to  the  colonists  (Aug.),  thus  converting  a mercantile  com- 
pany into  an  independent  provincial  government ; and  elect 
John  Wmthrop  governor  (Oct.);  406  emigrants  are  sent  from 
England. — Gorges  and  Mason  dissolve  partnership  ; Mason 
gets  a fresh  title  to  the  region  between  the  Merrimac  and  the 
Piscataqua  (7  Nov.),  which  he  calls  New  Hampshire  ; Gorges 
gets  the  region  between  the  Piscataqua  and  the  Kennebec 
(western  Maine). 

The  Peace  of  Lubeck  between  England  and  France  (22  May). 
The  English  capture  Quebec,  and  conquer  all  French  America, 
but  the  conquest  being  after  the  treaty  the  country  is  restored 
to  France  in  1632,  by  the  Treaty  of  St.  Germain. 

The  College  of  Nineteen,  of  Amsterdam,  Holland,  adopts  a 
“ Charter  of  Privileges”  to  promote  the  colonization  of  the 
New  Netherlands,  with  a feudal  organization.  Samuel 
Godyn  buys  the  Indian  title  to  part  of  Delaware  (June). 

John  Harvey  arrives  in  Virginia  as  governor,  in  place  of  Pott, 
under  a royal  commission. 

Biddeford  and  Saco,  in  Maine,  are  founded  by  Richard  Vines 
and  John  Oldham,  under  a grant  from  the  Plymouth  Co. 

The  Plymouth  Co.  grants  “ the  Colony  of  Connecticut”  to  the 
Earl  of  Warwick. 

Winthrop  arrives  in  Massachusetts  with  800  emigrants  (June); 
700  more  arrive  in  July ; they  find  distress  and  gloom. 
Boston,  Watertown,  Lynn,  Dorchester,  and  Rochester  are 
founded.  The  first  “General  Court”  meets  at  Boston  to 
organize  the  government  (19  Oct.). 

Sir  Robert  Heath  obtains  a patent  for  Carolina  (30°  to  36°  N.). 

Godyn  gets  an  Indian  deed  for  his  land  in  Delaware  (July), 
the  first  deed  of  land  in  Del.  He  and  Samuel  Bloemart  buy 
the  Indian  title  to  the  east  coast  of  Delaware  Bay  (N.  J.), 
Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  buys  from  the  Indians  12  miles  of 


History  of  the  United  States. 


23 


land  between  Fort  Orange  and  the  Mohawk  River.  Michael 
Pauw  buys  Staten  Island  and  Pavonia  (the  country  round 
Hoboken).  De  Vries,  as  agent  for  Godyn,  sails  from  the 
Texel,  with  emigrants  for  Delaware  (Dec.). 

1631.  De  Vries  plants  his  Dutch  colony  of  over  300  souls  at  Lewis- 
town  (Del.),  and  ascends  as  far  as  the  Schuylkill. 

1631.  Roger  Williams  arrives  in  Boston  (5  Feb.),  but  finding  his 
liberal  principles  obnoxious,  he  goes  to  Plymouth  and  re- 
mains two  years.  The  population  of  Plymouth  is  300. 

1631.  The  Earl  of  Warwick  assigns  his  right  to  Connecticut  to  Lord 
Say  and  Seal,  Lord  Brooke,  John  Hampden,  and  others  (19 
Mar.). 

1631.  Charles  I.  grants  (May)  to  a company  under  William  Clayborne 
(a  member  of  the  Virginia  council)  a license  to  trade  with  the 
Indians  of  Virginia  ; Harvey,  governor  of  V irginia,  confirms 
it.  Clayborne  founds  stations  on  Kent  Island  and  near  the 
Susquehannah,  the  first  settlements  in  Maryland. 

1633.  Charles  I.  grants  “Maryland”  to  Sir  George  Calvert,  Lord 
Baltimore,  who  dies  (15  Ap.)  before  the  patent  is  signed,  and 
it  is  issued  (30  June)  to  his  son,  Cecilius.  Virginia  vainly  pro- 
tests, claiming  the  territory  as  part  of  Virginia. 

1633.  Massachusetts  founds  a representative  government,  makes 
treaties  with  the  Indians,  and  establishes  intercourse  with 
Plymouth  colony,  Virginia,  and  New  Netherlands. 

1633.  De  Vries  goes  to  Holland  ; on  his  return  to  Delaware  at  the 
close  of  the  year,  he  finds  the  colonists  left  by  him  all  slain 
by  the  Indians. 

1633.  The  Dutch,  having  purchased  the  Indian  title  to  land  on  the 
Connecticut,  erect  a fort  (Jan.)  called  “the  House  of  Good 
Hope”  (now  Hartford).  Wouter  Van  T wilier  arrives  in  New 
Amsterdam  as  governor  in  place  of  Minuit. 

1633.  Haynes,  Cotton,  Hooker,  and  Stone  come  out  to  Massachusetts. 
Roger  Williams  returns  to  Salem,  but  the  action  of  the 
magistrates  compels  him  to  withdraw  from  the  church. 

1633.  Traders  from  Plymouth  colony,  under  Capt.  William  Holmes, 
found  a trading-house  at  Dorchester  (now  Windsor),  Conn. 

1633.  Virginia  has  about  1000  head  of  cattle. 

1633.  Leonard  Calvert,  Lord  Baltimore’s  brother,  sails  (33  Nov.)  with 

about  300  emigrants,  mostly  Roman  Catholics,  for  Maryland. 

1634.  He  arrives  in  the  Potomac  and  founds  St.  Marys  (37  Mar.), 

near  its  mouth. 

1634.  Vote  by  ballot  is  introduced  into  Massachusetts ; only  the 
people’s  representatives  are  allowed  to  dispose  of  lands  or  to 
levy  taxes.  The  General  Court  passes  a sumptuary  law  to 
regulate  dress,  prohibiting  short  sleeves,  and  other  “new 
and  immodest  fashions,”  etc.  Anne  Hutchinson  arrives  in 
Boston  from  England.  Colonists  from  Massachusetts  found 
Watertown  (Wethersfield),  Conn.;  the  Pequods  murder 
Stone,  Horton,  and  8 others,  but  send  messengers  to  Boston 
to  offer  peace  (Nov.). 

1634.  Not  a single  white  settler  remains  within  Delaware  Bay ; a 
few  Swedes  remain  in  Gloucester  and  Burlington  Counties 
(N.  J.) 

1634.  Charles  I.  grants  to  Archbishop  Laud  and  others  power  over 


84 


Ilidory  of  ike  Untied  Slates. 


the  American  plantations,  to  establish  the  government, 
regulate  the  Church,  and  revoke  all  charters  pr(‘judicial  to 
the  royal  prerogative.  The  colonists  prepare  to  resist,  and 
raise  a Defence  Fund  to  build  fortifications. 

1635.  Massachusetts  promulgates  a “Bill  of  Rights;”  “God’s  peo- 
ple should  be  governed  by  the  laws  given  by  God  to  Moses.’' 
The  General  Court  sentences  Roger  Williams  to  exile  (Oct.) ; 
the  people  of  Salem  still  adhere  to  him,  and  it  is  resolved  to 
send  him  to  England. 

1635.  The  first  popular  assembly  is  convened  in  Maryland  (Feb.). 
Clayborne  and  his  settlers  refuse  to  submit  to  Baltimore’s 
charter,  but  are  defeated  in  a bloody  skirmish.  He  llees  to 
Virginia,  and  Governor  Harvey  sends  him  to  England.  The 
Virginia  council  remove  Harvey,  and  make  Captain  John 
West  governor  (May).  Harvey  and  his  accusers  go  to  Eng- 
land to  appeal  to  the  king,  who  reinstates  Harvey.  The 
Commissioners  of  Plantations  decide  in  favor  of  Baltimore’s 
claim  to  Maryland  against  Clayborne. 

1635.  The  younger  Winthrop,  under  a commission  from  the  pro- 
prietaries, founds  Say  brook,  Conn,  (named  after  Lord  Say 
and  Seal  and  Lord  Brooke),  and  erects  a fort  there ; a sepa- 
rate colony  till  1644.  Sixty  emigrants  from  Massachusetts  go 
overland  to  Connecticut,  and  found  Ne\vtown  (now  Hartford); 
they  suffer  hardship,  and  many  make  their  way  to  the  sea- 
board. 

1635.  The  Plymouth  Co.  divide  the  v/hole  coast  from  Acadia  to  be- 
yond the  Hudson  among  themselves  by  lot  (3  Feb.),  and  ex- 
ecute deeds  to  the  grantees  (22  Ap.);  Mason  gets  the  land 
from  the  Piscataqua  to  the  Salem  River,  and  Gorges  the 
land  from  the  Piscataqua  to  the  Kennebec,  which  he  calls 
New  Somerset.  The  Co.  then  surrender  their  patent  to  the 
king  (7  June).  Mason  contends  that  the  patent  to  Endicott’s 
Massachusetts  Bay  Co.  was  surreptitiously  obtained,  and  a 
quo  warranto  is  issued  against  the  Co.  Mason  dies  (Nov.), 
his  estate  becomes  ruined,  his  colonies  in  New  Hampshire 
are  left  to  themselves,  and  the  opposition  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Co.  ceases. 

1635.  The  French  expel  the  English  colonists  from  the  Penobscot 

region,  Maine. 

1636.  Harvey  returns  to  Virginia  as  governor  (Jan.). 

1636.  Roger  Williams  refuses  to  submit  to  the  order  to  return  to 
England,  leaves  Salem  in  the  depth  of  winter  (Jan.),  wanders 
for  14  weeks  in  the  woods,  and  at  last  is  welcomed  by  Mas- 
sasoit  and  Canonicus,  chiefs  of  the  Pokanokets  and  Narra- 
gansetts.  He  goes  to  Renoboth  (Seekonk),  but  finding  it 
within  the  limits  of  Plymouth  colony,  removes  to  Narragan- 
sett  Bay  and  founds  Providence  (June) ; he  is  joined  by  others 
during  the  next  two  years. 

1636.  Sir  F.  Gorges,  in  anticipation  of  the  issue  of  a ro^^al  charter, 
sends  his  nephew,  Capt.  William  Gorges,  to  govern  New 
Somerset  (Maine) ; William  convenes  the  first  assembly  in 
Maine  at  Saco  (22  Mar.),  tlien  a place  of  about  150  people. 

1636.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  votes  a year’s  revenue  to 
found  a cellege  ; the  assembly  is  divided  into  two  chambers ; 


History  of  cut  United  JStates.  25 

life  magistrates  are  instituted ; Sir  Henry  Vane  is  elected 
governor.  Springfield  is  founded  (Sept.). 

1636.  The  first  assembly  in  Connecticut  is  held  (26  Ap.)  at  New- 

town (now  Hartford).  Long  Island  is  first  permanently  oc- 
cupied. Rev.  Thomas  Hooker,  with  100  emigrants  from 
Newtown,  Mass.,  goes  overland  and  settles  at  Newtown, 
Conn.  (June).  The  Pequods  murder  Oldham,  near  Block 
Island,  R.  I.  (Jul}").  The  outrage  is  punished  by  a sangui- 
nary but  ineffectual  expedition  under  Endicott  and  Underhill 
(Aug.).  The  Ppquods  make  reprisals  and  seek  to  unite  the 
Narragansetts  and  Mohegans  to  exterminate  the  whites,  but 
at  the  request  of  Vane  and  the  Massachusetts  council,  Roger 
Williams  uses  his  influence  to  detach  the  Narragansetts  and 
Mohegans  from  the  alliance. 

1637.  A court  held  at  Newtown,  Conn.  (1  Mar.),  changes  the  names 

of  Newtown,  Watertown,  and  Dorchester  to  Hartford, 
Wethersfield,  and  Windsor,  and  resolves  to  prosecute  the 
war  against  the  Pequods.  An  expedition  under  John  Mason, 
with  volunteers  from  Say  brook  under  Underhill,  and  with 
assistance  from  Massachusetts  and  the  Narragansetts  and 
Mohegans,  destroys  the  Pequod  tribe.  A remnant  of  about 
200  surrender,  and  are  enslaved  by  the  whites  or  incorporated 
with  the  Mohegans  and  Narragansetts.  After  the  war,  dele- 
gates from  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  meet  in  Boston 
(31  Aug.),  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  the  New  England  colo- 
nies into  one  Province  or  confederacy,  but  the  design  falls 
through.  It  is  revived  in  1643. 

1637.  The  Antinomian  controversy  culminates  in  Massachusetts. 

Anne  Hutchinson,  John  Wheelwright  (her  brother),  and 
Vane  oppose  the  doctrine  that  the  so-called  law  of  God 
should  be  the  law  of  the  commonwealth.  The  legislature 
enacts  that  none  shall  come  within  the  jurisdiction  without 
permission  of  the  authorities  ; Vane  protests  and  returns  to 
England.  Wheelwright,  Anne  Hutchinson,  and  Aspinwall 
are  exiled  as  ‘‘  unfit  for  the  society”  of  its  citizens.  Wheel- 
wright goes  to  the  Piscataqua  and  founds  Exeter ; John 
Clarke,  William  Coddington,  and  Anne  Hutchinson  are  wel- 
comed at  Providence  by  Roger  Williams.  Negro  slaves  are 
imported  for  the  first  time  into  New  England. 

1637,  Owing  to  the  machinations  of  George  Cleeve,  William  Gorge'' 
is  recalled  from  the  governorship  of  Maine  by  Sir  F.  Gorges 
(June),  and  the  province  is  left  without  a government. 

1637.  William  Kieft  is  made  governor  of  New  Netherlands  in  place 
of  Van  T wilier. 

1637.  A company  of  Swedes  and  Finns,  under  the  Dutchman  Peter 

Minuit,  leave  Sweden  for  Delaware. 

1633.  They  found  (Ap.)  Fort  Christiana  (named  after  the  Swedish 
Queen),  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Delaware  (near  the  site  of 
Wilmington) ; purchase  the  Indian  title  of  the  land  from 
Trenton  Falls  to  Paradise  Point  (Cape  Henlopen) ; settle  at 
Wicaco,  on  the  site  of  Philadelphia  ; and  claim  the  country  as 
“New  Sweden.”  Kieft,  governor  of  New  Netherlands,  pro- 
tests, claiming  the  country  for  the  Dutch. 

1638.  Roger  Williams  obtains  from  the  Indians  (Mar.)  a deed  of  the 


36  History  of  the  United  States. 

land  round  Providence  wliicli  in  time  he  grants  away  gratis; 
also  a deed  (Mar.)  of  Rhode  Island  for  Anne  Hutchinson  and 
her  fellow-exiles  who  found  a prosperous  colony  at  Newport. 

1638.  Puritans  from  London  under  Theophilus  Eaton  and  Rev.  John 
Davenport,  found  Quinniplack  (now  New  Haven),  Conn. 
They  hold  their  first  meeting  (18  April);  elect  Eaton  governor; 
and  buy  the  Indian  title  to  their  lend.  New  Haven  remains 
a separate  colony  until  1665. 

1638.  An  earthquake  is  felt  throughout  New  England  (1  June); 
shocks  continue  15  days. 

1638.  John  Harvard  founds  Harvard  College. 

1639.  Connecticut  {i.  e.,  Hartford,  Windsor  and  Wethersfield)  adopts 

a liberal  constitution  (Jan.  1),  the  first  organization  of  a gov- 
ernment with  a written  constitution  in  history. 

1639.  The  New  Haven  colonists  frame  a constitution  in  a bam  (4 
June) ; the  Scriptures  to  be  the  rule  of  the  common  weal  tli ; 
only  church  members  to  be  free  burgesses  ; “seven  pillars” 
chosen  to  organize  the  government.  Their  colonies  spread 
along  the  coast  and  Long  Island. 

1639.  Roger  Williams  organizes  at  Providence  the  first  Baptist 
church  in  America. 

1639.  The  Massachusetts  legislature  provides  that  the  life-magis- 
trates are  to  act  only  in  those  years  in  which  they  are  chosen 
at  the  annual  elections.  A law  is  passed  to  prohibit  the  cus- 
tom of  drinking  healths. 

1639.  Kieft  renews  the  Dutch  fort  at  Nassau  (Gloucester  Co.,  N.  J.). 

1639.  Sir  F.  Wyatt  supersedes  Harvey  as  governor  of  Virginia  ; he 
governs  well. 

1639.  Plantations  in  Carolina  are  probably  attempted  by  the  as- 
signee of  Heath’s  patent. 

1639.  Sir  F.  Gorges  is  made  proprietary  of  Maine  by  royal  charter, 

with  ample  powers  of  government  (2  Sep.) ; he  is  also  ap- 
pointed governor-general  of  New  England. 

1640.  He  sends  out  his  son,  Thomas",  as  governor  of  Maine. 

1640.  English  colonists,  under  Sir  Edmund  Ployden,  settle  at  Elsing- 
burgh,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Delaware,  and  call  the  country 
New  Albion,  but  are  driven  out  by  the  Swedes  and  Dutch. 

1640.  The  people  of  Connecticut  claim  Long  Island  under  a grant 
from  Lord  Stirling,  and  the  Dutch  emblems  of  possession  at 
the  east  end  are  thrown  down  by  the  colonists,  and  a fool’s 
head  is  set  up  instead. 

1640.  A fugitive  from  Virginia  settles  on  Albemarle  Sound  (N.  C.). 

1640.  Montreal  founded.  Their  continual  warfare  with  the  Mohawks 
excludes  the  French  from  the  south  shores  of  Lake  Ontario. 

1640.  The  emigrants  to  New  England  up  to  this  date  numbered 

21,200  ; in  ten  or  fifteen  years  50  villages  had  been  planted, 
and  30  or  40  churches  built.  For  the  next  20  years,  during 
the  civil  strife  in  England,  the  colonies  enjoy  almost  virtual 
independence. 

1641.  The  English  parliament  places  the  colonies  under  the  control 

of  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  as  governor-in-chief,  and  a council 
of  5 peers  and  12  commoners. 

1641.  Tew  Hampshire  annexes  itself  to  Massachusetts  (Ap.) ; the 
union  continues  till  1679. 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1641.  The  governing  power  of  Plymouth  colony  is  transferred  to  the 
entire  body  of  freemen,  and  the  interest  of  the  English  part- 
ners is  extinguished. 

1641.  Rhode  Island  establishes  a constitution,  a Dembcracie.'” 

1641.  Charles  Raymbault  and  Isaac  Jogues  reach  Sault  Ste.  Marie 
from  the  Georgian  Bay  (4  Oct.)  ; the  first  time  that  the  U.  S. 
were  entered  from  Canada. 

1641.  War  between  the  Dutch  of  New  Netherlands  and  the  Algo^ 

quins  ; it  lasts  till  1645. 

1642.  Anne  Hutchinson’s  son  and  son-in-law  censure  the  Boston  au- 

thorities for  their  treatment  of  her,  and  are  imprisoned.  She 
removes  from  Rhode  Island  to  East  Chester,  Conn.,  among 
the  Dutch.  Kieft  treacherously  massacres  nearly  100  Algon- 
quins  ; they  make  savage  reprisals  from  Connecticut  to  New 
Jersey,  and  the  Dutch  colonies  are  nearly  ruined.  A popular 
assembly  of  delegates  from  the  Dutch  villages  mitigates 
Kieft’ s arbitrary  rule.  The  war  leads  the  Indians  to  attack 
the  English  colonies  in  Maryland  and  Virginia,  and  war 
goes  on  there  for  four  years. 

1642.  Sir  William  Berkeley  arrives  in  Virginia  as  governor,  successor 

to  Wyatt  (Feb.).  Charles  I.  restricts  the  commerce  of  the 
colony  ; the  assembly  establishes  the  Church  of  England, 
suppresses  nonconformity,  and  banishes  nonconformists ; a 
company  of  Puritans  take  refuge  in  Maryland,  settling  at 
Providence  (now  Annapolis). 

1643.  Anne  Hutchinson  is  killed  by  the  Indians.  Roger  Williams 

arranges  a truce  between  them  and  the  Dutch  (Mar.),  and 
peace  is  made  with  the  Indians  on  the  Hudson  (Ap.).  War 
is  renewed  by  the  Dutch  under  John  Underhill,  a refugee 
from  New  England,  and  continues  till  1645. 

1643.  The  New  England  colonies  send  Hugh  Peters  and  two  others 
to  England  to  obtain  commercial  advantages  ; the  House  of 
Commons  votes  that  colonial  trade  shall  be  free  of  taxation 
(Mar.).  The  colonists  decline  an  invitation  to  send  deputies 
to  the  Westminster  Assembly.  Cotton  manufactures  are 
begun,  cotton  being  imported  from  Barbadoes.  War  in 
Massachusetts  between  the  Narragansetts  and  Mohegans. 

1643.  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  Connecticut,  and  New  Haven  form 
a federation,  ‘‘  The  United  Colonies  of  New  England  ; ” fed- 
eral matters  are  entrusted  to  eight  commissioners,  two  from 
each  colony.  It  lasts  till  1684.  A provision  for  the  admission 
of  new  members  to  the  federation  is  without  result. 

1643.  John  Printz,  governor  of  New  Sweden,  forms  a colony  and 
erects  a fort  on  Tinicum  Island  (Penn.),  in  the  Delaware,  just 
below  the  Schuylkill,  and  resides  there. 

1643.  The  Virginia  assembly  enacts  that  no  peace  shall  be  made 
vdth  the  Indians. 

1643.  Roger  Williams  goes  to  England  to  obtain  its  protection  over 
Rhode  Island.  He  obtains  the  help  of  Sir  Henry  Vane. 

1643.  The  proprietaries  of  Connecticut  assign  their  rights  to  the 

colonists. 

1644.  A design  is  formed  to  unite  all  the  English  colonies  in  one 

confederacy,  but  it  never  reaches  a practical  stage. 

1644.  Pariiament  grants  to  Roger  Williams  and  others  a charter  for 


28 


History  of  the  Vrdtext  Stales, 


Rhode  Island  (Mar.),  wit>n  full  power  “to  rule  themselves.  " 
Providence  greets  Williams  on  his  return  with  a njagnilic(‘nt 
demonstration.  A Baptist  church  is  formed  at  Newf)ort. 

1644.  The  Indians  massacre  300  colonists  in  Virginia  (18  Ap.’; ; 
war  goes  on  and  Opechancanough  is  captured.  Berkeley 
goes  to  England,  leaving  Richard  Kemp  as  governor  (June). 
Maryland  makes  peace  with  the  Indians. 

1644.  Massachusetts  gives  her  county  courts  authority  to  have  the 

Indians  instructed  in  religion.  Thomas  May  hew  labors  as  a 
missionary  among  the  Indians  on  Martha’s  Vineyard. 

1645.  The  French  and  Five  Nations  make  peace  at  Three  Rivers. 

1645.  The  Dutch  and  Indians  make  peace  at  New  Amsterdam ; 

Kieft’s  barbarous  policy  is  repudiated. 

1645.  A ship  leaves  Salem,  Ma:.s.,  for  Guinea,  Africa,  to  bring  a 
cargo  of  slaves  , the  first  direct  slave-trade  between  New 
England  and  Africa. 

1645.  Clayborne  and  Ingle,  with  the  Puritan  refugees  from  Virginia, 

excite  a successful  revolt  in  Maryland  ; Leonard  Calvert  the 
deputy-governor,  flees  to  Virginia,  and  disorder  and  misrule 
follow. 

1646.  Order  is  restored  in  Maryland  ; Lord  Baltimore  is  reinstated  ; 

and  an  amnesty  is  granted. 

1646.  Father  Jogues,  from  Canada,  is  hospitably  received  by  the 
Mohawks  (May),  but  is  murdered  (Oct.),  and  war  is  renewed 
between  the  French  and  the  Five  Nations. 

1646.  Father  Gabriel  Dreuillettes;  first  of  Europeans,  journeys  over- 
land from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Kennebec,  Maine  (Aug.), 
and  builds  a chapel  near  its  mouth,  where  many  Abenakis 
gather.  Franciscans  had  already  planted  a lodge  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Penobscot. 

1646.  Peace  is  made  between  Virginia  and  the  Indians  (Oct.). 

1646.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  repudiates  the  paramount 
authority  of  the  English  Parliament  (Nov.).  It  passes  an  Act 
for  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  among  the  Indians,  and 
John  Eliot,  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  “the  apostle  of  the  Indians,” 
“the  morning-star  of  missionary  enterprise,”  begins  his 
labors  among  the  Indians  at  Nonantum  (now  Newton),  Mass, 

1646.  The  Quakers  founded  in  England  by  George  Fox,  aged  22. 

1647.  Peter  Stuyvesant  arrives  in  New  Netherlands  (May)  as  gov- 

ernor in  place  of  Kieft,  who,  on  his  return  to  Holland,  is 
wrecked  off  the  coast  of  Wales  and  perishes.  The  population 
of  New  Amsterdam  is  about  1000. 

1647.  Dreuillettes  returns  from  Maine  to  Quebec  (June). 

1647.  A person  is  executed  at  Windsor,  Conn.,  for  witchcraft. 

1647.  Sir  F.  Gorges,  proprietary  of  Maine,  dies. 

1648.  Margaret  Jones  is  executed  (15  June)  at  Boston,  and  Mary 

Johnson  in  Connecticut,  for  witchcraft. 

1648.  Uplandt  (now  Chester,  Penn.)  is  settled  by  Swedes. 

1648.  The  Virginia  colonists  number  20,000,  about  400  being  negroes, 

and  have  31  vessels  engaged  in  commerce. 

1649.  Charles  I.  is  beheaded  (30  Jan.) ; the  monarchy  is  abolished  (17 

Mar.);  and  England  is  declared  a “Commonwealth  and 
Free  State”  (19  May). 

1649  The  people  of  Maine,  being  left  without  a gov^rpment  by  the 


Ilistonj  Of  the  United  ^States. 

•» 

death  of  Gorg'es,  form  themselves  into  a body  politic  for  the 
purposes  of  self  government  (Jnl^^). 

1649.  Massachusetts  declines  the  offer  of  a new  charter  by  the 
Long  Parliament.  Bigotry  and  persecution  reign  in  the 
colony  ; the  Anabaptists  are  fined  and  scourged  ; irreiigion 
is  made  a civil  offence  ; absence  from  church  is  punished  by 
fine  ; and  the  denial  of  any  book  of  the  Bible  is  punished  by 
fine,  stripes,  exile,  arid  death. 

1649.  The  Maryland  assembly  passes  an  Act  giving  complete  tolera- 
tion to  all  Christians. 

1649.  Virginia  proclaims  Charles  II.  king;  royalists  take  refuge 

there;  a grant  of  “Northern  Neck,”  between  the  Rappa- 
hannoclc  and  the  Potomac,  is  made  to  them  ; Puritans  are 
banished. 

1650.  The  Connecticut  assembly  prohibits  the  use  of  tobacco  to  per- 

sons under  20,  and  to  others  not  used  to  it,  without  a pliysi- 
sician’s  certificate  and  a License.  Stuyvesant  goes  to  Hart- 
ford (Sep.),  and  makes  a treaty  fixing  the  boundary  between 
New  England  and  New  Netherlands  at  Greenwich  on  the 
mainland,  and  Oyster  Bay  on  Long  Island.  The  treaty  is 
not  recognized  in  England. 

1650.  Scotch  prisoners  taken  at  the  battle  of  Dunbar  (3  Sep.)  are  sent 

to  Virginia  to  be  sold  as  indentured  servants.  An  ordinance 
of  the  Long  Parliament  empowers  the  Council  of  State  to 
reduce  “the  rebellious  colonies”  to  obedience  (Oct.). 

1651.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carrington  and  Goody  Bassett  are  executed  at 

Stratford,  Conn.,  for  witchcraft. 

1651.  The  settlement  of  “praying  Indians ” at  Nonan turn  removes 
to  Natick,  Mass.  The  Massachusetts  legislature  prohibits 
persons,  whose  estate  does  not  exceed  £200,  from  wearing 
lace  costing  over  2s.  a yard. 

1651.  The  Dutch  build  Fort  Casimir  (now  Newcastle,  Del.),  5 miles 
below  the  Swedish  fort  at  Christiana,  and  thus  create  jeal- 
ousy among  the  Swedish  colonists. 

1651.  War  between  England  and  Holland  ; it  lasts  till  1654.  Crom- 

well plans  the  conquest  of  New  Netherlands.  As  a war 
measure,  the  Long  Parliament  passbs  the  Navigation  Act; 
colonial  commerce  with  England  to  be  carried  on  solely  in 
English  ships  ; it  is  not  enforced.  Many  hundreds  of  Scotch 
prisoners  taken  at  the  battle  of  Worcester  (3  Sep.)  are  sent 
to  Virginia  to  be  indentured  as  white  servants. 

1653.  Roger  Williams  and  John  Clarke  get  the  charter  of  Rhode 
Island  confirmed  by  the  Long  Parliament.  Williams  returns 
to  Rhode  Island,  leaving  Clarke  in  England  as  agent  of  the 
colony.  . 

1652.  The  frigate  Gumea  anchors  in  the  Chesapeake  to  compel  Vir- 

ginia to  submit  to  the  Commonwealth  ; the  colonists  make 
terms,  and  elect  Richard  Bennett,  a commissioner  of  the 
Long  Parliament,  governor  (Ap.). 

1652.  Massachusetts,  claiming  under  its  charter,  annexes  Maine  as 
far  as  Casco  Bay,  in  spite  of  the  remonstrances  of  Edward 
Godfrey,  the  governor ; the  province  reluctantly  submits. 
1652.  New  Amsterdam  is  incorporated,  but  its  citoens  gain  no  privi 
leges. 


30 


JftHtory  vf  Ike  U I it  ltd  iSuuais, 


1653.  A general  assembly  of  deputies  from  the  villages  of  New 
Netherlands  meets  and  claims  popular  rights  (Nov.). 

1653  Cromwell  forcibly  dissolves  the  Long  Parliament  (20  Ap.) ; he 
is  made  Protector  (16  Dec.). 

1653.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  prohibits  preaching  except 
by  leave  of  the  authorities. 

1653.  The  Baptist  Church  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  splits  into  two 
Churches. 

1653.  Goody  Knapp  is  executed  at  Fairfield,  Conn.,  for  witchcraft. 

1653.  Clayborne  and  Bennett  (governor  of  Virginia),  professing  to 

act  under  the  ordinance  of  the  Long  Parliament  to  reduce 
all  plantations  within  the  Bay  of  the  Chesapeake,”  set  aside 
Lord  Baltimore’s  authority  in  Maryland  ; conflicts  ensue  be- 
tween the  Puritans  under  Bennett  and  Clayborne,  and  Stone 
(Baltimore’s  deputy)  and  his  friends,  the  latter  being  defeated. 

1654.  Imprisonment  for  debt  is  instituted  in  Massachusetts. 

1654.  Peace  is  made  between  the  French  in  Canada  and  the  Five 
Nations.  Father  Le  Moyne  goes  among  them  as  envoy  and 
missionary.  Two  young  Canadian  fur- traders  make  a canoe 
journey  west  from  Quebec  (Aug.),  via  the  Ottawa,  and  reach 
Lakes  Michigan  and  Superior  ; they  return  in  two  years, 
^ escorted  by  a fleet  of  50  canoes. 

1654.  An  armed  force  sent  by  Cromwell  takes  possession  of  Nova 
Scotia. 

1654.  Rising,  governor  of  New  Sweden,  overpowers  the  Dutch  gar- 

rison at  Fort  Casimir  ; the  act  is  fatal  to  the  Swedish  colony. 

1655.  A Dutch  force  from  New  Amsterdam  sails  into  the  Delaware 

(Sep.),  and  the  Swedish  settlements  (numbering  700  souls) 
submit ; the  country  north  of  Christiana  and  the  Brandy- 
wine is  governed  by  a deputy  of  Stuy vesant ; the  country 
from  the  Brandywine  to  Bombay  Hook  (part  of  Delaware)  is 
purchased  by  the  city  of  Amsterdam  in  Holland,  the  name 
New  Sweden  being  changed  to  New  Amstel. 

1655.  Baltimore’s  friends  in  Maryland  are  e.gain  defeated  by  the 
Puritans  (Jan.). 

1655.  Admiral  Penn  (father  of  William  Penn)  captures  Jamaica  from 
the  Spaniards  (3  May).  Cromwell  founds  the  English  Board 
of  Trade. 

1655.  Bennett  retires  from  the  governorship  of  Virginia ; Edward 
Diggs  is  elected  his  successor. 

1655.  Chaumonot  and  Claude  Dablon,  missionaries  from  Canada, 

ai'e  welcomed  among  the  Five  Nations  (Nov.). 

1656.  A colony  of  50  French  Canadians  settle  among  the  Onondagas 

(May). 

1656.  From  this  date  till  the  accession  of  James  II.  (1685)  the  Quakei's 
are  severely  persecuted  in  England,  and  many  of  them  take 
refuge  in  America. 

1656.  Quakers  are  persecuted  in  Massachusetts  and  expelled  from 

the  colony. 

1657.  The  persecution  of  Quakers  in  Massachusetts  continues  ; they 

are  fined,  whipped,  and  banished  ; a law  enacts  that  on  a 
first  conviction  one  ear  shall  be  cut  off,  on  a second  the  other 
ear,  on  a third  the  tongue  shall  be  bored  wit?i  a red-hot  iron  ; 
and  that  any  one  who  entertains  one  of  the  accursed  sect” 


31 


History  of  tlio  Cnital  States, 

shall  be  fined.  A woman  from  London,  who  rebukes  the 
magistrates  for  persecution,  is  whipped  with  20  stripes. 

1657.  Divided  rule  exists  in  Maryland  : Fendall  (Baltimore’s  repre- 
sentative) is  acknowledged  by  the  Catholics  at  St.  Marys ; 
Cromwell’s  commissioners  are  sustained  by  the  Puritans  at 
St.  Leonards. 

1657.  The  Oneidas  murder  three  Frenchmen ; the  French  retaliate 

by  seizing  Indians. 

1658.  The  French  abandon  their  settlements  among  the  Five  Nations 

(Mar.),  and  war  once  more  breaks  out  between  them. 

1658.  A compromise  is  efiected  between  the  conflicting  parties  in 
Maryland  (Mar.),  and  the  province  is  surrendered  to  Fendall, 
Baltimore’s  agent. 

1658.  Samuel  Matthews  is  elected  governor  of  Virginia  in  place  of 
Diggs.  The  assembly  excludes  the  governor  and  council 
from  its  sessions  ; the  governor  dissolves  it ; the  assembly 
declares  the  dissolution  illegal,  proclaims  pdpular  sovereignty , 
and  removes  and  re-elects  the  governor,  who  submits,  and 
the  revolution  is  completed. 

1658.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  claims  the  right  to  silence 
any  person  not  ordained ; a fine  of  10s.  is  imposed  on  every 
person  present  at  a Quaker  meeting,  ?md  £5  for  speaking  at 
one  ; Quakers  are  banished  on  pain  of  death. 

1658.  Cromwell  dies  (3  Sep.)  ; his  son  Richard  is  proclaimed  Pro- 

tector (4  Sep. ).  Virginia  recognizes  him  ; Massachusetts  does 
not. 

1658-59.  The  corporation  of  Amsterdam  bj^  purchases  from  the  In- 
dians extends  its  jurisdiction  to  Cape  Henlopen,  Del.;  it 
governs  despotically,  and  the  colonists  flee  in  troops  to  the 
English  colonies  ; scarce  30  families  remain. 

1659.  Richard  Cromwell  resigns  the  Protectorate  (22  Ap.). 

1659.  Two  Quakers  are  hanged  in  Massachusetts  for  returning  to  the 
colony  after  being  banished  ; Mary  Dyai*  is  also  sentenced, 
but  reprieved  when  the  rope  is  round  her  neck. 

1659.  Two  fur- traders  from  Canada  winter  on  the  shore  of  Lake 

Superior. 

1660.  A party  of  Puritans  from  Massachusetts  attempt  a settlement 

on  Oldtown  Creek,  near  the  mouth  of  Cape  Fear  River  (N.  C.). 
It  is  soon  abandoned.  Perhaps  a few  scattered  families  may 
have  settled  in  what  is  now  North  Carolina  before  this  date. 

1660.  Matthews,  governor  of  Virginia,  dies  (Mar.) ; the  assembly  de- 
clares that  the  supreme  power  i^esides  in  itself  (13  Mar.),  and 
elects  Sir  W.  Berkeley  governor  ; he  accepts  office,  renouncing 
all  power  to  dissolve  the  assembly. 

1660.  A popular  convention  meets  in  Maryland  (12  Mar.),  votes  itself 
a lawful  assembly,  abolishes  the  Upper  House,  and  settles 
the  government ; Fendall,  Baltimore’s  deputy,  allow^s  the 
revolution. 

1660.  An  Indian  church  is  organized  at  Natick,  Mass.  Mary  Dyar  is 
hanged  at  Boston  as  a Quaker  (1  June) ; also  William  Leddra. 
Massasoit,  sachem  of  the  Pokanokets,  dies  ; his  son  “King 
Philip”  succeeds. 

1660.  Charles  II.  is  proclaimed  king  in  England  (8  May) ; he  lands  at 
Dover  (25  May).  Three  of  Charles  I.  ’s  judges,  Edward  Whalley, 


32 


Jlutort/  of  Litd  United  tSiaitb, 


William  Goffe,  and  John  Dixwell,  escape  to  Amenca.  Hugh 
Peteis,  l‘aiher-iii-law  of  the  younger  Winlhroj),  is  hanged  ay 
a regicide  (14  Oct.).  Tiie  Navigation  Act  (12  Car.  H.,  c.  18)  is 
passed  ; merchandise  is  to  be  ijiipoj'ted  into  the  colonies  only 
in  English  vessels  ; only  natives  or  naturalizcMl  subjects  arc 
to  become  n)erchants  or  factors  in  any  Englisb  settlement 
Other  laws  are  X)assed  in  restraint  of  colonial  tiade  anc 
manufactures,  and  corn-laws  are  re-enacted.  Charles  II 
erects  the  Council  of  Trade  and  the  Council  of  Planlations 
they  are  soon  combined. 

1660.  Charles  II.  is  proclaimed  in  Plymouth,  Rhode  Island,  New 
Haven,  Hartford,  Maryland,  and  Virginia.  The  General 
Court  of  Massachusetts  negatives  an  address  to  him  (Oct.) ; 
but  afterwards  agrees  to  one  (Dec.)  ; Leveiett,  its  agent  in 
England,  is  instructed  to  intercede  for  its  chartered  liberties, 
and  to  resist  appeals  to  England  in  law  matters.  In  ]\fary- 
land,  Philip  Calvert,  Baltimore’s  deputy,  is  recognized.  In 
Virginia  Berkeley  issues  writs  for  an  assembly  in  the  name 
of  the  king  ; the  royalist  j)arty  becomes  ascendant  and  modi- 
fies the  democratic  features  of  the  constitution.  Virginia 
had  acquired  perfect  liberty  of  commerce,  but  the  English 
government,  under  the  new  Navigation  Act,  begins  to  pre- 
vent commerce  with  New  Netherlands.  Virginia’s  popula- 
tion is  about  30,000  ; Maryland’s  from  8000  to  12,000. 

1660.  Rene  Mesnard,  Jesuit  missionary,  goes  from  Canada  to  Lake 

Superior  to  found  a mission  (Aug.). 

1661.  He  is  lost  in  the  Avoods  on  KeeAvena  Peninsula,  Lake  Superior, 

and  iieA^er  seen  again  (June). 

1661.  Berkeley  goes  to  England  as  agent  of  Virginia,  to  seek  relief 
from  the  Navigation  Act(Ap.)  ; he.  Clarendon,  and  six  others 
combine  to  obtain  a grant  to  themselves  of  American  terri- 
tory. 

1661.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  publishes  a declaration  of 
rights  (June),  claiming  self-go A^ernment,  denying  the  right  of 
appeals  to  England,  and  declaring  the  Navigation  Act  an 
infringement  of  their  charter  ; it  then  proclaims  Charles  II. 
king.  A royal  order  from  England  to  GoA^ernor  Endicott 
directs  him  to  proceed  no  further  against  the  Quaker  prison- 
ers, but  to  send  them  to  England  for  trial ; in  response  he 
releases  Wenlock  Christison  and  27  others  from  prison.  Up 
to  this  date  30  Quakers  had  been  scourged,  fined,  or  impris- 
oned ; some  had  been  branded  in  the  hand  with  the  letter  H 
for  heretic  ; and  several  had  been  hung.  The  persecution 
soon  recommences  ; men  and  women  are  Avhipped  at  the 
cart’s  tail  from  town  to  town  and  banished.  The  persecution 
did  not  cease  for  some  years,  till  Charles  II.  demanded  that 
no  one  should  be  hindered  from  exercising  liis  religion  in  the 
New  World  more  than  in  the  Old,  and  that  all  persons  ought 
to  be  permitted  to  “ worship  (Jod  in  the  way  they  think 
best.”  John  Eliot  publishes  his  translation  of  the  Ncav  Tes- 
tament into  the  Massachusetts  Indian  dialect.  Whalley  and 
Goffe  flee  from  Boston  to  Newhaven,  Conn.,  to  escape  arrest. 

1661.  Charles  (’alvert,  a son  of  Lord  Baltimore,  is  made  dep. -govern 
nor  of  Maryland,  and  a general  amnesty  is  proclaimed. 


I 


1 


'J'nOMAS  JKFFF.r.SOX 


\ 


Jaimes  Laurence. 


TVER  IT.  Perry. 


h'ava!  Heroes  of  the  Past. 


AVm.  BAINI3RTT>OT‘ 


Stephen  Decatur 


John  Pat'l  Jones. 


History  of  the  XTaited  States, 


33 


1661.  The  younger  Winthrop  goes  to  England  as  agent  of  Connecti- 

cut to  obtain  a charter. 

1662.  Charles  II.  grants  a charter  for  Connecticut  (20  Ap.),  covering 

both  Hartford  and  New  Haven,  from  the  Narragansett  to  the 
Pacific,  disregarding  the  hesitancy  of  New  Haven,  the  rights 
of  New  Netherlands,  and  the  claims  of  Spain  on  the  Pacific  ; 
it  gives  complete  independence  and  self-government.  Win- 
throp is  elected  governor  in  14  successive  years.  New  Haven 
is  unwilling  to  merge  itself  in  the  larger  colony  of  Hartford. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Greensmith  are  executed  at  Hartford,  for 
witchcraft. 

1662.  John  Norton  and  Simon  Bradstreet  go  to  England  as  commis- 
sioners from  Massachusetts  (Feb.) ; Charles  H.  confirms  the 
charter,  declaring  that  its  foundation  is  liberty  of  conscience, 
but  claims  certain  prerogatives ; the  people  resolve  not  to 
allow  these. 

1662.  Charles  H.  grants  a charter  to  the  African  Co.  Sir  Henry 
Vane  is  executed  in  England  as  a regicide  (June).  The  Act 
of  Uniformity  is  renewed  (May) ; nearly  2000  ministers  are 
driven  from  their  parishes  as  nonconformists  (24  Aug.). 
Charles  II.  issues  a Declaration  of  Indulgence  (Dec.),  exempt- 
ing from  the  penalties  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity  all  noncon- 
formists who,  “living  peaceably,”  do  not  conform  through 
“scruple  and  tende*rness  of  misguided  conscience,  but  mod- 
estly and  without  scandal  perform  their  devotions  in  their 
own  way.” 

1662.  The  Virginia  assembly  grants  a permanent  revenue  to  the 
Government,  and  votes  its  members  a salary  of  250  lbs.  of 
tobacco  a day  each  ; establishes  the  Church  of  England  ; and 
passes  persecuting  laws  against  Quakers,  Baptists,  and  other 
dissenters  ; to  entertain  a-  Quaker  is  punished  by  imprison- 
ment. 

1662.  The  Yeopim  Indians  grant  “Durant’s  Neck,”  on  Albemarle 

Sound  (N.  C.),  to  George  Durant. 

1663.  The  Company  of  100  Associates  having  surrendered  New 

France  to  Louis  XIV. , he  grants  the  territory  to  the  new 
French  West  Indies  Co.  (Feb^.). 

1663  Heath’s  patent  for  Carolina  is  declared  void  for  non-user ; 
Charles  H.  grants  to  eiglit  proprietaries  a patent  for  Caro- 
lina (Mar.)  from  36°  N.  to  the  river  St.  Johns,  Fla.  Spain 
claims  that  the  territory  is  a part  of  Florida.  George  Cath- 
maid  settles  67  persons  on  the  Chowan  Eiver,  Albemarle 
Sound  ; the  plantation,  being  north  of  36°,  is  not  included  in 
the  patent  for  Carolina,  but  the  proprietaries  commission  one 
of  their  number,  Berkeley,  governor  of  Virginia,  to  institute 
a government  over  it,  and  he  severs  it  from  Virginia,  and, 
under  the  name  of  Albemarle  colony,  gives  it  a separate  gov- 
ernment under  William  Drummond.  It  remains  unnoticed 
till  the  quit-rents  become  due  in  1666.  Planters  in  Barba- 
does  buy  a tract  of  land  on  Cape  Fear  Eiver. 

1663.  John  Eliot  publishes  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  his  translation  of 
the  Old  Testament  into  the  Massachusetts  Indian  dialect. 

1663.  Mary  Barnes  is  executed  at  Farmington,  Conn.,  for  witchcraft. 

1662.  Six  months’  war  goes  on  between  the  Dutch  of  New  Nether- 


34 


Jlhytorif  of  Uie  United  /States, 


lands  and  tlie  Indians,  who  destroy  (June)  a village  on  the 
Esopus  (in  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y.).  Disputes  as  to  territoiy  arise 
between  Connecticut  and  New  Netherlands,  Connecticut 
claiming  to  the  l^acilic  under  its  charter.  The  necessities  of 
the  time  compel  Stuy  vesant  to  concede  a pojmlar  assembly. 
The  Dutch  West  India  Co.,  desiring  a barrier  against  the 
Englisii  colonies  to  the  south,  transfers  tiie  whole  country 
on  the  Delaware  to  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  Holland,  which 
becoiiies  proprietary  of  all  the  settlements  in  what  are  now 
Pennsylvania,  Southern  New  Jersey,  and  Delaware. 

1063.  The  Parliament  in  England  sets  aside  Charles  II. ’s  Declaration 
of  Indiilgeiice,  and  passes  the  Conventicle  Act  to  prevent 
religious  meetings  of  nonconformists. 

1003.  Charles  II.  grants  a charter  to  Rhode  Island  (July),  giving 
self-government  and  re^^rgious  freedom,  and  vesting  the 
Supreme  power  in  a governor,  deputy-governor,  10  assistants 
(now  the  Senate),  and  deputies  from  the  towns.  George 
Baxter  arrives  at  iSTewport  with  the  charter  (24  Nov.),  which 
is  read  publicly. 

1603.  In  Virginia  an  insurrection  of  white  ‘‘servants”  is  easily  sup- 
jiressed  ; barbarous  laws  are  enacted  against  slaves  ; and  the 
laws  against  nonconformists  are  made  more  severe.  John 
Burgess  is  expelled  from  the  Assembly  for  being  “ well- 
affected  to  the  Quakers,” 

1664.  By  this  date  many  English  from  Connecticut  had  settled  in 
New  Netherlands,  and  as  many  negroes  had  been  imported, 
in  proportion  to  population,  as  in  Virginia,  The  new  Dutch 
diet  demands  from  the  governor,  Stuyvesant,  protection 
against  the  Indians,  and  the  colony  paiTially  revolts  against 
tlie  rule  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Co. ; Berkeley,  governor  of 
Virginia,  threatens  hostilities. 

1664.  Charles  II.  grants  (Mar.)  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York, 
afterwards  James  II.,  the  countr^'  from  the  St.  Croix  to  the 
Pemaquid  (Sagadahoc  or  Eastern  Slaine),  and  from  the  Con- 
necticut to  the  Delaware.  The  Duke  assigns  his  claim  to 
New  Jersey  to  Lord  Berkeley  and  Sir  George  Carteret  (June). 
Before  this  date  3 Dutch  families  had  settled  about  Burling- 
ton, N.  J. , and  a few  Quaker  families  ’ on  the  south  of  Rari- 
tan Bay,  N.  J.  ; but  there  was  no  hamlet  in  south-west  New 
Jersey. 

1664.  The  Rhode  Island  assembly  atSrms  the  principle  of  intellectual 
liberty  to  nien  of  every  creed  (May). 

1664.  The  English  fleet  for  the  conquest  of  New  Netherlands,  under 
Col.  Richard  Nicolls,  and  having  on  board  royal  commis- 
sioners charged  to  investigate  the  manner  in  which  the  New 
England  charters  had  been  exercised  and  to  provide  for  the 
peace  of  the  country,  arrives  at  Boston  (23  July) ; takes  re- 
cruits on  board  ; anchors  in  Gravesend  Bay,  and  acquires 
Long  Island  (Aug.) ; Stuyvesant  surrenders  New  Amster- 
dam (5  Sep.),  whicii  is  called  New  York  ; Fort  Orange  (or  Will- 
iamstadt)  surrcmders  (24  Sep.)  and  is  called  Albany  ; the 
Dutch  and  Swedes  on  the  Delaware  capitulate  (Oct.l,  the 
whole  coast,  from  Maine  to  Carolina,  luissing  into  tlx^^  pos» 
session  of  England,  New  Netherlands  is  divided  into 


B5 


History  r,j  the  United  States^ 

York  and  New  Jersey,  the  settlements  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Delaware  being  made  a dependency  of  New  York,  Lord 
Baltimore’s  claim  to  them  being  denied.  Nicolls  is  made 
governor,  and  New  York  is  governed  despotically  as  in 
Dutch  times,  popular  rights  not  being  conceded. 

1664.  New  England  Puritans  from  Long  Island  obtain  an  Indian 
deed  to  a large  tract  on  Newark  Bay  (“  the  Elizabethtown 
Purchase  ”),  which  Governor  Nicolls,  unaware  of  the  grant 
to  the  Duke  of  York,  ratifies. 

1664.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  resolve  to  resist  the 

king’s  orders  and  to  nullify  the  royal  commission  ; and  while 
the  fleet  is  reducing  New  Netherlands,  protest  against  “ the 
menace  of  tyranny  ” (Oct.),  address  Charles,  claiming  the  right 
of  “government  within  themselves,”  and  threaten  “ to  seek 
new  dwellings  ” rather  than  submit.  The  contest  facilitates 
the  union  of  the  two  colonies  of  Hartford  and  New  Haven. 
The  Commissioners  establish  the  boundary  of  Connecticut 
in  conformity  with  the  claims  of  the  colony,  but  award  Long 
Island  to  the  Duke  of  York ; they  are  favorably  received  in 
Ehode  Island  ; but  Plymouth  stands  firm  for  its  independence 
and  declines  their  offer  of  a charter. 

1665.  New  Haven  accedes  to  the  union  with  Connecticut  under  the 

Charter  of  1662  (Jan.) ; the  seat  of  government  to  be  at  Hart- 
ford. 

1665.  The  royal  commissioners  hold  a court  in  Boston  to  try  the 
claims  of  Massachusetts,  but  the  General  Court  forbids  the 
proceedings,  and  the  baffled  commissioners  go  north  to  settle 
the  boundaries  of  New  Hampshire  and  Maine,  and  to  prepare 
for  the  restoration  of  proprietary  claims.  The  governor  and 
council  of  Massachusetts  forbid  the  towns  on  the  Piscataqua 
to  meet  or  obey  the  commissioners.  Maine  prefers  the  pro- 
tection of  the  king  to  incorporation  with  Massachusetts  or 
subjection  to  the  heir  of  Gorges,  and  the  commissioners 
remove  the  officers  appointed  by  Massachusetts,  ignore  the 
claims  of  Gorges,  and  issue  commissions  to  persons  to  govern 
the  district.  After  the  departure  of  the  commissioners, 
Massachusetts  re-establishes  its  authority  over  Western 
Maine,  maintaining  its  jurisdiction  from  the  southern  limit 
of  Massachusetts  to  the  Kennebec. 

1665.  The  French  found  Castine  on  Penobscot  Bay,  Maine  ; they  also 
have  a fort  on  the  site  of  Bangor.  A party  of  French  from 
Canada,  under  Gov.  Courcelle,  reach  Schenectady  (N.  Y.). 

1665.  William  Goulding  and  others,  with  the  sanction  of  Governor 
Nicolls,  obtain  from  the  Indians  a deed  of  the  land  from 
Sandy  Hook  to  Raritan  River,  N.  J.  (Ap.),  called  for  a few 
months  East  Albania ; three  towns  are  soon  begun.  The 
two  proprietaries  of  New  Jersey  create  a popular  assembly  ; 
grant  lands  at  a quit-rent  of  34d*  acre,  not  to  be  collected 
till  1670  ; and  offer  a bounty  of  75  acres  on  tlie  importation 
of  each  able  slave.  Philip  Carteret  is  received  as  governor 
(Aug.),  and  Elizabethtown  (named  after  Lady  Carteret), 
then  a place  of  four  houses,  is  made  the  capital.  Nicolls 
protests  in  vain  against  the  division  of  his  province,  by  the 
separation  of  New  Jersey  from  New  York.  Colonists  from 


86  JftHtory  of  the  (fnitad 

New  Haven,  Conn.,  settle  on  the  Passaic,  and  obtain  the 
Indian  title  to  the  site  of  Newark,  N.  J. 

1665.  Charles  II.  declares  war  ag'ainst  the  Dutch  ; it  lasts  till  1667. 

The  Five  Mile  Act  is  passed,  increasing'  the  severity  of  the 
persecution  of  Quakers  and  other  nonconformists  in  Eng- 
land ; over  4000  Quakers  are  in  English  prisons,  500  in  Lon- 
don alone  ; tlicy  look  beyond  the  Atlantic  for  a refuge. 

1665.  The  Rhode  Island  assembly  again  allinns  the  principle  of 
intellectual  liberty. 

1665.  The  proprietaries  of  Carolina  obtain  a new  charter  (June)  ol 
the  territory  between  29°  and  36°  30'  N.,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacilic  ; it  included  nearly  all  Florida  and  fixed  the 
northern  boundary  of  North  Carolina.  Sir  John  Yearnans, 
under  a grant  from  the  i)ro})rietaries,  settl('s  a colony  of  cmi* 
grants  from  Barbadoes  on  the  south  of  Cape  Fear  River; 
the  settlement  is  called  Clarendon  colony  ; it  fails. 

1665.  Father  Claude  Allouez  goes  fi’om  Canada  (Aug.)  to  Chegoi- 

megon,  Lake  Superior  (1  Oct.),  as  a missionary  among  the 
Indians  between  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Mississippi. 

1666.  Louis  XIV.  declares  war  against  England.  Charles  II.  re- 

bukes the  “ frowardness”  of  Massachusetts  in  the  matter  of 
the  royal  commissioners,  and  commands  Covei  nor  Belling^ 
ham  and  Hawthorne  to  attend  in  England  ; the  General 
Court  refuses  compliance  (Sep.).  The  idea  of  cc^qnering 
Canada  is  now  first  proposed  to  New  England,  but  rejected 
as  impracticable  ; Boston  equips  some  privateers. 

1666.  William  Penn  is  imprisoned  in  Ireland  as  a Quaker. 

1667.  Treaty  of  Madrid,  peace  with  Spam  (May);  Treaty  of  Breda^ 

peace  between  England,  France,  Holland,  and  Der  mark  (31 
July)  ; New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  the  colonies  west  of  the 
Delaware  are  ceded  to  England  ; Acadia  is  restored  to  France, 
but  the  royal  grant  of  Nova.  Scotia  to  Sir  Thomas  Temple  is 
not  revoked.  The  French  and  the  Five  Nations  make  iieace. 

1667.  Francis  Lovelace  is  made  governor  of  New  York,  in  place  of 
Nicolls. 

1667.  Virginia  ena>cts  that  baptism  is  consistent  with  a state  of 
slavery,  so  removing  an  obstacle  to  the  conversion  of  ne- 
groes ; the  enactment  is  made  repeatedly  between  1667  and 
1748  ; the  opposite  notion  prevailed  widely. 

1667.  A colony  of  ship-builders  from  the  Bermudas,  and  emigrants 

from  New  England,  join  the  colony  on  Albemarle  Sound 
(N,  C.),  under  Samuel  Stevens  as  chief  magistrate. 

1668.  The  first  New  Jersey  assembly  meets  at  Elizabethtown  (May), 

and  enacts  severe  laws. 

1668.  The  Earl  of  Sliaftesbury  and  Locke  frame  “the  Grand  Model'* 
conslitution  for  Carolina,  creating  a nobilit}^  and  establish- 
ing the  Church  of  England,  but  tolerating  every  other  re- 
ligion. 

1668.  Claude  Dablon  and  Jacques  Marquette  establish  among  the 

Chippewas  the  mission  of  Sault  de  Ste.  Marie,  the  oldest 
European  s(dllement  in  Michigan. 

1669.  The  patent  of  “ Noi-lijern  Neck,”  Va.  (granted  1649),  is  surren- 

dered (May)  : a new  one  is  issued  to  Lord  Thomas  Culpepper, 
who  had  acquircal  all  the  shares  of  his  associates. 


< 


:i 


■'t-' 


tSMKl 
OF  THE  ^ ^ 


..  :.  ..  t':.'  . . <'5 


37 

1669.  La  Salle  ascends  Lake  Ontario  and  the  Niagara  River,  reaches 
Lake  Erie,  and  descends  the  Ohio  as  far  as  the  Falls  (now 
“ Louisville). 

1669.  The  first  assembly  in  Albemarle  colony,  Northern  Carolina,  is 

convoked  by  Governor  Stevens,  and  begins  legislation  ; the 
laws  are  confirmed  b}^  the  proprietaries,  and  remain  in  force 
for  over  50  years. 

1G70.  The  proprietaries  of  Carolina  send  3 ships  with  emigrants 
under  AVilJiam  Sayle  (governor)  and  Joseph  West  (Jan.), 
with  jurisdiction  from  Cape  Carteret  to  as  far  south  as  the 
Spaniards  would  tolerate.  The  emigrants  found  on  Ashley 
River  the  first  town  in  Sjuthern  Carolina,  and  establish  a 
free  government ; not  a vestige  of  the  settlement  remains, 
except  the  line  ot*  moat.  The  “Grand  Model”  is  signed 
(Mar.)  and  sent  to  the  colonists  on  Albemarle  Sound  and 
Ashley  River ; both  reject  it.  Monk,  Duke  of  Albemarle,  is 
made  Palatine.  Sayle  soon  dies,  and  Sir  John  Teamans  is 
appointed  governor. 

1670.  In  Virginia,  tiie  suffrage  is  restricted  to  freeholders  and  house- 

holders. 

1670.  The  settlers  in  New  Jersey  refuse  payment  of  quit- rents, 
claiming  the  Indian  title  as  paramount;  disputes  and  con- 
fusion follow. 

1670.  Charles  II.  grants  to  Prince  Rupert  and  others  (the  Hudson 
Bay  Co.)  a monopoly  of  the  regions  on  Hudson  Bay.  The 
Duke  of  York  is  made  president  of  the  African  Co.,  and 
becomes  patron  of  the  slave-trade. 

1670.  The  votes  passed  by  the  Long  Islanders  at  their  town  meet- 

ings are  burnt  in  New  York,  by  order  of  Governor  Lovelace 
and  the  council. 

1671.  At  the  instance  of  Talon,  intendant  of  Canada,  an  Indian  con- 

gress is  held  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie  (May) ; the  tribes  are  placed 
under  the  protection  of  Louis  XIV.  Marquette  gathers  the 
remnant  of  the  Hurons  at  Point  St.  Ignace,  north  of  Macki- 
naw Strait,  a post  which  is  long  maintained  as  the  key  of  the 
West. 

1671.  Massachusetts,  which  still  extends  to  the  Kennebec,  is  virtu- 
ally independent ; no  custom-houses  are  erected,  the  Naviga- 
tion Acts  are  disregarded,  and  a large  carrying- trade  is  done  ; 
Charles  II.  fears  it  will  break  away  from  all  dependence  on 
England. 

1671.  Teamans  arrives  at  the  Ashley  River  colony  (S.  C.)  with  slaves 
from  Barbadoes ; Dutch  emigrants  from  New  York,  discon- 
tented with  the  change  of  rule,  settle  there,  and  are  followed 
by  others  from  Holland. 

1671.  Virginia  has  no  common  schools  yet ; children  are  instructed 
by  their  parents. 

1671.  George  Fox,  founder  of  the  Quakers,  visits  the  American 

colonies. 

1672.  War  breaks  out  between  England  and  Holland  (Mar.) ; it  lasts 

till  1674  ; Navigation  Acts  are  passed  in  England. 

1672.  Baptists  are  for  the  first  time  allowed  to  hold  their  meetings 
unmolested  in  Boston,  Mass. 

1672.  The  New  York  colonists  clamor  against  the  arbitrary  rule  of 


38  llisiorij  of  iho  Unilvd  Sfate.^. 

Governor  Lovelace,  Connecticut  surrenders  Long  Island  to 
New  Yoi*' 

1G72.  The  New  Jersey  assembly  displaces  Philip  Carteret,  and  ap- 
points James  Carteret  governor  ; Philip  appoints  John  Berry 
his  deputy,  and  goes  to  England  for  fresh  authonty. 

1G72.  An  armed  force  of  Marylanders  invade  Lewistown  on  the 
Delaware,  but  the  Duke  of  York  claims  the  country  by  right 
of  conquest  from  the  Dutch. 

1G72.  William  Edmundson  from  England  visits  his  Quaker  brethren 
on  Albemarle  Sound  (N.  C.),  who  then  organize  the  first 
religious  government  in  Carolina.  George  Fox  preaches  to 
them. 

1G72.  Frontenac  is  made  governor  of  Canada ; he  begins  Fort  Fron- 
tenac  (now  Kingston)  at  the  mouth  of  Lake  Ontario.  Allouez 
and  Dablon  explore  the  country  west  of  Lake  Michigan  (Wis- 
consin and  Illinois).  • 

1G73.  George  Fox  returns  to  England. 

1G73.  Marquette  and  Louis  Joliet  descend  the  Wisconsin  and  dis- 
cover the  northern  Mississippi  (17  June)  and  the  Des  Moines ; 
set  foot  in  Iowa;  descend  the  Mississippi  as  far  as  33°  N., 
below  the  Arkansas  ; turn  back  (17  July),  ascend  the  Illinois, 
and  reach  Green  Bay,  Lake  Michigan  (Sep.) ; Joliet  goes  to 
Quebec  to  announce  the  discovery. 

1G73.  New  York  surrenders  to  a Dutch  squadron  (July) ; also  New 
Jersey  and  Delaware.  , 

1G73.  Charles  II.  grants  Virginia  to  Lord  Thomas  Culpepper  and 
Lord  Arlington  for  31  years ; Virginia  is  distracted  with  do- 
mestic contests  and  stung  to  rebellion. 

1674.  Virginia  sends  agents  to  England  to  get  the  grant  to  Culpepper 
and  Arlington  cancelled,  and  the  Crown  to  resume  its  rights. 

1674.  Peace  between  England  and  Holland  (Feb.) ; the  American 
c^^lonies  are  ceded  back  to  England.  The  Duke  of  York  re- 
sumes the  proprietorship  of  New  York  and  Delaware ; and 
Carteret  and  Berkeley  of  New  Jersey.  Berkeley,  for  £1000, 
sells  his  undivided  half  to  Quakers  (Mar.).  Charles  11.  grants 
Sagadahoc  (East  Maine,  between  the  St.  Croix  and  Kennebec) 
and  the  country  from  the  Connecticut  River  to  Maryland  to 
the  Duke  of  York  (June),  who  makes  Edmund  Andros  gover- 
nor, with  absolute  power.  Andros  receives  the  surrender  of 
New  Netherlands,  New  Jersey,  and  Delaware  from  the  Dutch 
(31  Oct.) 

1674.  Stevens,  governor  of  Northern  Carolina,  dies;  the  assembly 
elects  successors  till  1677. 

1674.  Joseph  West  is  appointed  governor  in  Southern  Carolina  in 
place  of  Yeamans  ; he  governs  well  till  1683.  (West  was  one 
of  the  leaders  of  the  first  colony  in  1670.) 

1674.  The  Senecas  drive  the  Susquehaimalis  from  the  head  of  the 
Chesapeake  to  the  Potomac,  and  IVIaiyland  becomes  involved 
in  war  with  the  Susquehannahs  and  Idscataways. 

1074.  By  this  date  the  Pokanokets  in  Rhode  Island  had  been  crowded 
into  the  necks  of  land  now  called  Bristol  and  Tiverton,  and 
they  find  themselves  deprived  of  llicir  lands  and  “by  their 
own  legal  contracts  driven,  as  it  were,  into  the  sea.”  Kang 
Philip,  their  chief,  on  the  information  of  Sausamanthat  he 


Jlistort/  of  the  Lfyiited  States. 


av 


IS  inciting  the  Indians  to  war,  is  summoned  by  the  colo- 
nists to  submit  to  examination  ; he  appears  at  Plymouth  and 
protests  his  innocence  ; the  wrath  of  the  tribe  is  aroused,  and 
the  informer,  Sausainan,  is  murdered. 

1675.  Tlie  murderers  are  tried  by  a jury,  half  Indian,  half  wliite 
(June),  convicted,  and  hanged.  The  young  men  of  the  tribe 
tlien  kill  8 or  9 colonists  at  Swansea,  R.  I.,  and  “King 
Phdip’s  War”  breaks  out.  It  spreads  to  other  tribes  and 
continues  for  over  a year,  all  New  England  being  kept  in  a 
state  of  excitement  and  terror.  The  white  population  of 
New  England  is  55,000  ; the  Indian,  30,000.  Brookfield,  Deer- 
field, and  Springfield  are  burnt ; but  the  Narraganscdts  are 
nearl}^  exterminated  by  the  colonists  under  Josiah  Winslow, 
governor  of  Plymouth.  The  war  spreads  to  Maine  (Oct.)  in 
consequence  of  outrages  committed  by  sailors  on  the  Indians, 
and  Saco,  Scarboro,  Wells,  Kittery,  Oyster  River  settlement, 
Berwick,  Salmon  Falls,  Dover,  and  Exeter  suffer  from  dct)re- 
dations  or  the  tomahawk. 

1675.  Marquette  goes  to  Kaskaskia  (111.)  to  preach  to  the  Indians. 
On  his  way  back  to  Mackinaw,  he  dies  (18  May)  at  the  river 
“Marquette,”  Mich.,  and  is  buried  in  the  sand  near  its  month. 

1675.  Philip  Carteret  resumes  the  government  of  Northern  New  Jer- 
sey, as  deputy  of  Sir  George,  postpones  the  payment  of  quit- 
rents,  and  confirms  representative  government.  A colony 
of  Quakers  from  England,  under  John  Fenwick,  founds 
Salem,  in  Southern  New  Jersey. 

1675.  The  English  Council  of  Trade  and  Plantations  is  abolished. 

1675.  Andros  attempts  to  enforce  his  jurisdiction  over  West  Con- 
necticut, and  demands  the  surrender  of  Fort  Say  brook  (Jul}^); 
he  is  successfully  resisted  and  sails  for  Long  Island. 

1675.  The  agents  of  Virginia  in  England  fail  to  get  a charter ; the 
government  is  changed  into  a proprietary  one ; Lord  Cul- 
pepper is  made  governor  for  life,  and  is  proclaimed  soon  after 
Berkeley’s  departure.  Susquehannahs  and  Piscatawa^^s  com- 
mit murders,  which  are  avenged  by  the  border  militia. 

1675.  Cecilius,  Lord  Baltimore,  proprietary  of  Maryland  for  43  years, 

dies  (Nov.)  ; his  heir,  Charles,  goes  to  England,  having'  admin- 
istered the  colony  14  years  ; the  province  is  discontented  and 
wishes  a popular  government ; a rising  is  checked  only  by 
the  prorrrpt  energy  of  the  government. 

1676.  King  Philip’s  War  in  New  England  is  ended  by  the  defeat  of 

the  Indians.  An  expedition  from  Massachusetts,  rrnder  Ma- 
jor Waldron,  treacherously  entraps  350  Indians  at  Cocheco 
(Dover),  N.  H.,  and  ships  them  to  Boston  to  be  sold  into  for- 
eign slavery.  Canonchet,  chief  of  the  Narragansetts,  is  taken 
prisoner  (Ap.)  and  execrrted  ; the  Indians  are  defeated  at 
Turner’s  Falls  (19  May) ; Philip’s  wife  and  son  are  captured 
(3  Aug.) ; he  himself  is  shot  b}^  a faithless  Indian  (12  Aug.), 
and  his  son  is  sold  as  a slave  to  Bermuda.  John  Eliot,  the 
missionary,  saved  some  of  the  tribes  from  extermination. 
Lancaster,  Medfield,  Weymouth,  Groton,  Marlborough,  and 
W arwick  had  been  burnt.  The  total  loss  to  the  colonists  was  : 
12  or  13  towns,  vrith  600  houses,  burnt,  one  family  in  20  being 
burnt  out ; over  600  men,  the  flower  of  the  colon^q  killed,  be- 


40  llislory  of  the  United  Staten. 

i;i^  one  in  20  of  iho  ;il;lo-bo(li(Ml  men  ; cost  of  war,  $500, 0(J 
War  ^oes  on  in  Maine,  and  nearly  linlf  tiie  seillenKmis  aK 
destroyed;  Anne  Bi’ackett,  taken  at  Falmouth  (Casco),  (es- 
capes in  an  open  boat  across  C'ascx)  IFiy  (Auf^'-.).  Edward 
Randolf)h  (ag-ent  of  IMason  and  the  Privy  Coun(til)  arrives  in 
New  England  with  a loyal  message  requiiing  submission  ; 
Massacdiuselts  reluctantly  yields,  but  sends  agents  to  England 
to  protest. 

1676.  Carteret  and  the  Quakers  of  Salem  partition  New  Jersey  (Aug.', 
the  northern  part  (“East  New  Jersey”)  to  Carteret,  the 
southern  (“  AYest  New  Jersey”)  to  the  Quakers. 

1676.  New  York  resists  Andros,  and  he  advises  Charles  II.  and  tiie 
Duke  of  York  to  grant  legislative  franchises  ; the  Duke  I’e-' 
fuses.  Sagadahoc  is  pi'otected  by  afoiJ  and  garilson.  Andros 
goes  to  England  (Nov.),  but  fails  to  convince  tlie  Duke  of  the 
need  of  granting  liberty. 

1676.  Tlie  Indian  war  in  Virginia  goes  on,  and  plantations  arc  laid 

waste.  A contest  between  Governor  Berkeley  and  the  colo- 
nists under  Nathaniel  Bacon  leads  to  “ the  Grand  Rebehion.” 
The  assenibl}^  passes  ameliorating  legislation  (4  July,  N.  S., 
100  years  before  the  Declaration  of  Independence),  Berke- 
ley retreats  across  the  Delaware  (Aug.)  and  is  deposed,  and 
Sir  Henry  Chichely  is  chosen  governor  ; Berkeley  collects  a 
strong  force  in  Accomack  and  returns  to  Jamestown  (8  Sep.), 
but  liis  forces  desert,  Bacon  is  again  in  the  ascendant,  and  as 
a precautionary  measure  burns  Jamestown,  then  a ]dace  of 
18  houses  ; Bacon  dies  (1  Oct.),  and  the  royalist  leader,  Robert 
Beverley,  defeats  the  insurgents  in  detail.  Thomas  Hansford 
is  taken  and  hanged. 

1677.  William  Drummond  and  21  others  are  hanged  ; 3 others  die  of 

cruelty  in  prison  ; the  assembly  is  convened  (Feb.),  and  votes 
an  address  “ that  the  governor  would  spill  no  more  blood.” 
English  troops  had  been  introduced  into  the  colony  for  the 
first  time,  but  are  disbanded  in  three  years.  The  legislation 
of  Bacon’s  assembly  is  repealed,  and  the  colonists’  grievances 
are  revived.  Berkeley  returns  to  England,  and  is  censured 
by  public  opinion.  Lord  Culpepper,  tlie  governor,  is  pro- 
claimed, but  does  not  go  to  Virginia  till  1680. 

1677.  The  English  Quaker  proprietaries  of  West  New  Jersey  grant 
to  the  colonists  a charter  of  “ Concessions”  (3  Mar.),  jiutting 
“the  power  in  the  people.”  A large  emigration  follows. 
Andros,  governor  of  New  York,  claims  jurisdiction  ; his 
claim  is  referred  to  England  for  decision.  The  Quakers  hold 
religious  meetings  at  Burlington,  N.  J. 

1677.  The  Privy  Council  decides  against  the  claim  of  Massachusetts 
to  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  revives  the  proprietary 
rights,  but  Massachusetts  buys  Gorges’s  rights  in  Maine  for 
£1250  (May).  France,  under  the  Treaty  of  Breda,  held  the 
district  between  the  St.  (Jroix  and  the  Penobs(*ot ; the  Duke  of 
York  held  tlie  tract  between  the  Penobscot  and  the  Kennebec  ; 
hiaving  to  Massacliusett^i  only  the  tract  between  the  Kenne- 
bec and  the  Piscaiaqua.  This  had  hitherto  been  represented 
in  tlie  Massachusetts  assembly  ; it  is  now  governed  as  a sub- 
ject province  according  to  Gorges’s  charter. 


41 


Hidory  of  the  Un  iled  beaus. 

1677.  Miller,  the  new  governor  of  Northern  Carolina,  arrives  in  the 

province;  its  population  is  about  4000.  The  Navigation 
Acts  of  1672  are  to  be  enforced. 

1678.  The  attempt  to  enforce  the  Acts  leads  to  an  insurrection  under 

John  Culpepper  ; the  colonists  imprison  Miller,  set  aside  the 
proprietary  government,  and  organize  one  of  their  own. 

1678.  Treaties  of  amity  are  ratified  between  the  Quakers  of  West 
New  Jersey  and  the  Indians. 

1678.  Andros  returns  to  New  York  with  instructions  to  continue  the 
customs  duties  and  to  enforce  the  Duke  of  York’s  claim  over 
New  Jersey  under  the  charter  of  1674.  As  governor  of  Saga- 
dahoc, Maine,  he  makes  peace  with  the  Indians,  on  terms 

• which  acknowledge  their  superiority  (Ap.).  He  claims  that 

East  New  Jersey  vessels  should  pay  dues  at  New  York  ; Car- 
teret refuses,  is  arrested,  but  is  acquitted  by  an  honest  New 
York  jury.  Andros’s  agent  at  Newcastle,  Deb,  exacts  cus- 
toms of  ships  ascending  to  West  New  Jersey  ; the  Quaker 
settlers  remonstrate,  and  the  question  is  referred  to  arbitra- 
tion, when  Sir  W.  Jones  decides  against  the  Duke  of  York 
and  in  favor  of  West  New  Jersey.  The  province  of  New  York 
has  about  20,000  people,  3000  being’  on  Manhattan  Island. 

1678.  The  Maryland  assembly,  during  the  absence  of  the  proprietary, 
makes  the  suffrage  more  popular. 

1678.  La  Salle  returns  from  France  to  Canada,  with  Tonti  as  his 

lieutenant.  They  leave  Fort  Frontenac,  cross  Lake  Ontario, 
and  ascend  the  Niagara  in  a canoe  of  10  tons,  the  first  that 
ever  sailed  into  the  river.  At  Tonawanta  Creek,  on  the  up- 
per Niagara,  La  Salle  commences  the  Oriffln,  a vessel  of  60 
tons. 

1679.  The  colonists  of  Northern  Carolina  send  John  Culpepper  and 

Holden  to  England  to  effect  a compromise ; Miller,  the  de- 
posed governor,  being  released  from  prison,  follows,  and  pro- 
cures Culpepper’s  arrest  on  a charge  of  high  treason.  Charles 
II. , at  his  own  expense,  sends  a colony  of  foreign  Protestants 
to  Southern  Carolina  (Ap.).  An  Irish  colony,  under  Ferguson, 
goes  there. 

1679.  Andros  increases  the  revenue  of  New  York,  but  it  still  amounts 
to  only  3 per  cent,  on  the  imports,  and  is  insufficient  for  the 
expenses. 

1679.  Massachusetts,  before  the  return  of  its  agents  in  England,  de- 
clares the  ‘‘Acts  of  Navigation  an  invasion  of  the  rights  of 
the  colonists,  they  not  being'  represented  in  Parhament,”  and 
that  “the  laws  of  England  do  not  reach  America;”  the 
General  Court  then  passes  an  Act  of  its  own  giving  validity 
to  the  Navigation  Acts. 

1679.  Mason’s  patent  of  New  Hampshire  being  found  to  give  no 
right  to  jurisdiction,  but  only  to  the  soil,  the  colony  is  sepa- 
rated from  Massachusetts,  and  organized  into  a royal  prov- 
ince (July),  Mason’s  proprietary  rights  being  allowed  him. 

1679.  The  European  population  of  New  France  is  8515. 

1679.  La  Salle  launches  the  Griffin,  and,  with  Tonti  and  a colony  of 
fur- traders,  sails  onto  Lake  Erie,  through  Lake  St.  Clair  (which 
he  names)  and  Lake  Huron,  to  Green  Bay,  Lake  Michigan  ; 
he  sends  bpck  the  Griffin,  goes  in  canoes  to  the  head  of  Lake 


JliMort/  of'  tfic  Uidtcil 


Michigan,  there  founds  Fort  Miami,  on  the  8t.  JoseplTs  Kiver, 
and  makes  his  ^vay  to  the  Illinois  Kiver  (now  La  Salle  Co., 
III.). 

1680.  He  builds  Fort  Creveccxmr  on  the  Illinois,  4 days'  journey  be- 
low Lake  Peoria  ; sends  Henne])in  to  ex[)lore  tlie  upper  Mis- 
sissippi ; and,  the  Griffin  not  having  returned  with  supplies, 
he  leaves  Tonti  behind  to  found  Kock  Fort,  and  with  three 
companions  sets  out  (Mar.)  to  walk  to  P'ort  Frontenac  (now 
Kingston,  Ont.).  Hennepin  ascends  the  Misvsissijipi  and  dis- 
covers the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  ; Tonti,  being  threatened 
by  the  Iroquois,  goes  among  the  Potawatomies  on  Lake 
Michigan. 

1680.  The  New  Hampslnre  assernldy  meets  at  Portsmouth  (]\lar.), 
and  asserts  the  right  to  self-government.  Mason,  failing  to 
establish  his  claim  to  the  soil,  gees  to  England,  is  authoi  ized 
to  select  a governor,  and  appoints  Edwai-d  Cran field. 

1680.  Dunster,  President  of  Harvard,  is  tried  and  conqielled  to  le- 
sign  for  being  a Baptist.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
forbids  Baptists  to  assemble  in  their  meeting-house,  but  the 
prohibition  is  merely  a matter  of  form,  and  the  persecution 
of  Baptists  finally  ceases  in  Boston. 

1680.  The  Duke  of  York  acquiesces  in  Sir  W.  Jones's  decision  against 
his  claim  to  customs  dues  from  West  New  Jersey,  and  he 
relinquishes  by  deed  all  claims  to  the  territory  and  govern- 
ment. Andros  again  enters  East  New  Jersey  to  enforce  the 
Duke’s  claims ; the  assembly  resists,  pleads  Magna  Chai-ta, 
and  the  province  maintains  its  independence. 

1680.  Lord  Thomas  Culpepper  arrives  in  Virginia  as  governor  ; ex- 
torts a perpetual  export  duty  on  tobacco  as  a royal  revenue 
(June) ; has  his  salary  increased  from  £1000  to  £2000  ; changes 
the  value  of  the  currency  ; and  returns  to  England  (Aug.). 

1680.  William  Penn  solicits  from  Charles  II.  a patent  for  Pennsyl- 
vania (June).  John  Culpepper  is  tried  in  England  for  treason 
(June),  and  acquitted.  Setli  Sothel  buys  Clarendon’s  % shar^ 
in  Carolina,  and  is  selected  by  the  propiietaries  to  look  aftej 
their  interests  in  Northern  Carolina,  in  place  of  Miller  ; he  do^v 
not  go  out  till  1688. 

1680.  Charleston  (S.  C.)  is  founded  by  graziers  under  John  Cu. 

pepper. 

1681.  Charles  II.  grants  to  William  Penn  (Mar.)  a patent  for  the  ter- 

ritory north  of  Maryland  and  v/est  of  the  Delaware,  which  the 
king  calls  Pennsylvania  ; William  Markham  sails  thither  as 
Penn’s  agent  (May). 

1681.  Discontent  in  Nevv  York  leads  to  the  assembling  of  a populai 
convention.  Andros  is  recalled  to  England  and  knighted. 

1681.  Lord  Baltimore  returns  to  Mainland,  annuls  the  popular  legis- 
lation passed  in  his  absence,  and  restricts  the  franchise;  Ibo 
consequent  discontent  is  inc.reased  by  hostility  to  the  Papists 
an  insurn'ction  under  Fendall  is  suppressed  with  clemency  ; 
the  English  ministry  order  that  public  offices  be  entrusted 
only  to  ih*otestants. 

1681.  Jennings,  gov(‘rnor  of  West  New  Jersey,  convenes  the 
C^ualoM-  assembly  (Nov.),  whiclj  frarpies  4 government  on 
basis  of  humaniiy. 


Ilistor'j  of  the  United  States. 


43 


1681.  La  Salle  returns  from  Canada  to  Illinois,  and  leaves  Fort  Miami 

for  the  Mississippi  (Dec.). 

1682.  He  descends  the  Illinois  and  the  Mississippi  to  the  sea,  and 

claims  for  France  (9  Ap.)  the  territory  watered  by  the  river, 
calling  it  Louisiana.  Returning  he  begins  Fort  St.  Louis,  at 
Starved  Rock,  on  the  Illinois. 

1682.  Massacliusetts  sends  agents  to  England  (Feb.),  who  find  that  a 
war  against  the  corporation  has  begun,  and  that  the  case  of 
t he  colony  is  desperate ; Massachusetts  resigns  Western 
Maine,  but  will  not  concede  anything  held  under  the  charter. 

1682.  Carteret  sells  East  New  Jersey  to  12  Quakers,  under  the 
auspices  of  Penn.  (Feb,);  Thomas  Rud^^ard  takes  possession 
as  governor,  or  agent,  for  them. 

1682.  Penn  publishes  a frame  of  government  for  Pennsylvania  (May) 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  colonists  ; he  obtains  from  the 
Duke  of  York  an  assignment  of  his  claims  to  Delaware,  and 
the  Swedish  settlements  at  Tinicum,  etc.;  sails  from  England 
(1  Sep.);  arrives  at  Newcastle,  Penn.  (27  Oct.),  and  is  wel- 
comed by  the  English  settlers  at  Chester ; he  makes,  at 
Shackamaxon  (now  Kensington),  his  famous  treaty  with  the 
Lenni  Lenape  ; and  marks  out  the  site  of  Philadelphia  (Nov.). 
A convention  meets  at  Chester,  and  finishes  the  work  of  pre- 
paratory legislation  (Dec.).  A conference  is  had  with  Lord 
Baltimore  as  to  the  boundary  between  Maryland  and  Penn- 
sylvania. 

1682.  The  New  Hampshire  assembly,  convened  by  Cranfield  (Nov.), 

declines  to  yield  its  liberties. 

1683.  Cranfield,  in  anger,  dissolves  the  assembly  (Jan.),  a novel  pro- 

cedure which  creates  discontent  Mason  institutes  lawsuits 
to  collect  his  land-dues,  but  without  avail. 

1683.  Philadelphia  founded  (Jan.) ; the  assembly  meets  there  (Mar.); 
in  Aug.  there  are  only  “ three  or  four  little  cottages.” 

1683.  The  Duke  of  York  grants  to  the  Quaker  assignees  of  Carteret 
a new  deed  of  East  New  Jersey  (Mar.) ; Robert  Barclay  is 
chosen  governor  for  life  ; his  deputy  is  Gawen  Laurie. 

1683.  Lord  Culpepper  returns  to  Virginia  and  deprives  the  assembly 
of  all  control  over  the  executive  (May) ; the  council  requests 
the  king  to  recall  the  grant  to  Culpepper  and  Arlington ; 
Arlington  assigns  his  share  to  Culpepper  ; and  the  charter  is 
declared  void  by  process  of  law. 

1683.  Sothel  arrives  in  Northern  Carolina  and  finds  tranquillity  re-  ^ 
stored,  and  the  people  prosperous  ; he  makes  unjust  exactions. 

1683.  The  proprietaries  dismiss  West  from  the  governorship  of 
Southern  Carolina,  on  a charg'e  of  favoring  the  popular  party. 
Morton  is  appointed  his  successor. 

1683.  The  Duke  of  York  sends  Thomas  Dongan,  a Papist,  to  New 
York  as  governor,  with  instructions  to  convene  an  assembly; 
it  meets  (17  Oct.),  and  passes  a ‘ Charter  of  Liberties,”  with 
toleration  to  all  Christians. 

1683.  A quo  warranto  is  issued  against  the  Massachusetts  charter, 
and  Randolph  arrives  in  the  colony  with  the  writ  (Oct.) ; the 
General  Court  makes  an  ineffectual  protest. 

1683.  La  Salle,  leaving  Tonti  in  command  in  Illinois  with  instructions 
to  descend  the  Mississippi  and  ’^'eet  him,  returns  to  Quebec 


44 


Jllslory  of  the  ailed  tiUdeH. 


and  sails  for  France  (Nov.).  The  European  population  of  Nev9 
France  is  about  10,000. 

1684.  La  Salle  is  made  commandant  of  Louisiana  (14  Ap.),  and 
leaves  Rochelle  (July)  villi  4 shi[)s  and  280  ciilonists  for  tlie 
Mississippi. 

100^4.  In  Pemisylvania  a woman  is  tried  as  a witch,  but  liberated 
(Feb.)  ; a large  European  emigi-alion  lakes  place;  neg^ro 
slavery  is  introduced  ; Penn  sails  to  Pingland  (12  Augf.)  to 
settle  his  claim  to  Delaware  as  against  Loixl  Baltimore’s. 
His  colony  already  numbers  7000  })eople. 

1684.  In  New  Hampshire  the  contest  between  Governor  Cranfhild  and 
the  assembly  culminates  in  rioting:. 

1684.  The  charter  of  Massachusetts  is  decbnxxl  conditionally  for- 
feited (18  June) ; and  the  judg'ment  is  confirmed  on  the  first 
day  of  Michaelmas  term.  The  last  meeting-  of  the  council  of 
“The  United  Colonies  of  New  England  ” (formed  1643)  is  held 
at  Hartford  (5  Sep.). 

1684.  A small  colony  of  Scotch  Presb^Jerians  under  Lord  Cardross 
settle  at  Beaufort  (Port  Royal,  S.  C.). 

1684.  Virginia  is  again  made  a royal  province,  Lord  Howard  of 
Effingham  being  appointed  governor  in  i)lace  of  Lord  Cul- 
pepper. 

1684.  In  view  of  an  approaching  war  between  the  French  and  the 

Five  Nations,  the  governors  of  New  Yoik  and  Vii’ginia 
(Dongan  and  Lord  Howard)  and  the  agent  of  Massachusetts 
, meet  the  Indian  sachems  at  Albany  (July),  and  renew  their 
treaties  of  peace,  extending  from  the  St.  Croix  (Me.)  to  Albe- 
marle Sound  (N.  C.).  De  la  Barre,  governor  of  Canada,  with 
1700  men,  invades  the  country  of  the  Onondagas  in  Western 
New  York  (Aug.),  but  his  ti*oops  are  wasted  by  disease,  and 
he  sues  for  and  is  granted  a humiliating  ])eace.  At  the  re- 
quest of  Dongan,  the  Mohawks  refuse  to  negotiate  with  him. 

1685.  La  Salle’s  expedition,  bj^  mistake,  sails  be^mnd  the  Mississippi 

(Jan.) ; it  enters  Matagorda  Bay  (Texas),  where  the  store- 
ship  is  wrecked  ; two  ships  return  to  France,  leaving  La 
Salle  with  the  other,  and  about  230  colonists ; he  builds  Fort 
St.  Louis  on  the  Ba^^  (June),  and  starts  (Nov.)  on  an  unsuc- 
cessful canoe  voyage  in  search  of  the  Mississippi.  De  la  Barre 
is  superseded  by  Denonville  as  governor  of  Canada. 

1685.  Charles  H.  dies  (6  Feb.);  James  II.  succeeds;  he  resolves  to 
reduce  all  the  colonies  to  direct  dependence  on  the  Crown. 
Lord  Baltimore,  leaving  William  Joseph  as  his  deputy  in 
Maryland,  goes  to  England  and  appeals  in  vain  ; his  chartered 
rights  are  despised.  By  direction  of  James,  Dongan,  gov- 
ernor of  N.  Y.  levies  arbitrary  taxes  without  the  consent  of 
the  assembly  ; six  farmers  of  Easthampton  are  arraigned 
before  the  council  for  protesting  against  Ins  tyranny. 

1685.  A copy  of  the  Judgment  cancelling  the  charter  of  Massachu- 
setts arrives  in  Boston  (July). 

1685.  A large  Scotch  eniigration  to  East  New  Jersey  takes  place. 

1685.  Philadelphia  has  already  600  houses  ; a printing-press  is  setup. 

The  Committee  of  Trade  and  Plantations  decides  in  Penn's 
favor  that  Delaware  is  not  a part  of  Maryland,  and  the 
boundary  is  settled  by  compromise. 


45 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1685.  About  1000  prisoners  taken  in  Monmouth’s  rebellion  are  sent 
to  Virginia  to  be  indented  as  servants  for  ten  years  ; the 
latter  design  is  not  cai*ried  out ; in  tiiis  way  Virginia  receives 
some  useful  citizens. 

1685.  The  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  (32  Oct.)  causes  a large 
emigration  of  Huguenots  to  New  England,  New  York,  and 
especially  to  Sou{hei'n  Cai’oliua  ; tliey  found  a church  at 
Ciiarleston,  and  establish  a colony  on  the  Santee  River  (S.  C.). 

1685.  Tlie  proprietaries  appoint  a collector  of  plantation-dues  in 

Southern  Carolina  ; a new  struggle  ensues.  The  Navigation 
Acts  are  I’esisted. 

1680.  La  Salle,  witii  20  men,  starts  from  Matagorda  Bay  (Ap.)  in 
search  of  gold  mines  in  Northern  Mexico  ; on  his  return, 
finding  his  ship  wrecked,  and  only  about  40  colonists  left,  he 
detei-mines  to  make  his  way  by  land  to  Canada. 

1686.  English  traders  penetrate  from  New  York  as  far  as  Mackinaw. 

1086.  Joseph  Dudley  is  made  “President”  of  the  colonies  from  Nova 

Scotio.  to  Narragansett  Bay  ; lie  arrives  ’in  Boston  (May),  and 
establishes  arbitrary  government.  A quo  icarranto  having 
been  issued  against  the  charter  of  Rhode  Island,  the  colony 
a})peals  to  the  king  for  their  chartered  liberties  (May).  Sir 
Edmund  Andros  is  made  governor  of  New  England  ; he  lands 
at  Boston  (Dec.) ; establishes  a still  more  arbitrary  govern- 
ment ; requires  the  colonists  to  take  out  new  grants  for  their 
lands,  for  which  exorbitant  fees  are  required  ; and  demands 
one  of  the  meeting-houses  for  a church.  He  also  demands 
the  surrender  of  the  Rhode  Island  charter. 

1686.  Virginia  is  governed  despotieally  ; a perpetual  revenue  is  ex- 
torted from  the  assembly  ; no  printing-press  is  allowed  ; and 
tb.e  Navigation  Acts  are  enforced. 

1686.  In  Southern  Carolina,  Spaniards  from  Florida  destroy  the 
Scotch  settlement  at  Beaufort ; some  of  the  colonists  return 
to  Scotland,  others  mingle  with  the  earlier  settlers.  James 
Colleton  is  appointed  governor  (Aug);  a majority  of  the  assem- 
bly refuse  to  acknowledge  the  “Grand  Model”  constitution 
(Nov.),  and  Colleton  excludes  them  ; they  protest  against  any 
legislation  by  the  minority. 

1686.  Penn  obtains  from  James  II.  the  release  of  1200  Quakers  from 

English  jails. 

1687.  La  Salle,  leaving  20  men  at  Fort  St.  Louis,  starts  with  16  for 

Canada  (Jan.);  he  and  his  nephew  are  murdered  by  mutineers, 
Duhaiit  and  L’ArchevAqiie,  on  a branch  of  the  Trinity  River 
(20  Mar.) ; Duhaut  and  another  mutineer  are  murdered  in  a 
quarrel  over  the  spoils,  and  the  six  surviving  conspirators 
join  the  Indians.  Joutel  and  six  others  (including  La  Salle’s 
brother  and  nephew)  make  their  way  to  the  Mississippi, 
where,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas,  they  see  a cross 
(24  July)  erected  by  Tonti,  who  with  a companion,  had  de- 
scended the  river,  and  established  a post ; Joutel  ascends  the 
river  and  Onds  a garrison  at  Fort  St.  Louis  on  the  Illinois. 
The  20  left  at  Fort  St  Louis,  Matagorda  Bay,  are  nearly  all 
‘killed  by  the  Clan:jcoet  Indians. 

1687.  Andros  dissolves  the  government  of  Rhode  Island  (Jan.)  ; by 
an  attack  on  Casfcine  (Me.)  gets  in+o  war  v^'th  tlie  Indians  of 


History,  vj  tU  ignited  States^ 

Maine  ; goes  to  Connecticut  (31  Oct.),  and  demands  the  sur- 
render of  tiie  charter  ; it  is  hidden  by  William  Wadsworth, 
of  Hartford,  in  “ Charter  Oak  ; ” Andi  os  assumes  the  govern- 
ment and  writes  tlie  w^ord  “Finis”  to  llie  ii‘(Oids  of  the 
colony.  Inci'ease  Mather  goes  to  Elngland  to  con. plain  to 
tlie  lung  of  Andi'os’s  arbitrary  government. 

1687.  The  new  assembly  in  Houthern  Carolina  i)rovcs  more  intract- 
able than  the  ohl,  and  theii^  “Standing  Laws”  are  nega- 
tived by  the  Palatine  Court.  Colleton  attempts  to  collect 
(luit-rents  on  wild  lands,  insubortlination  ensues,  the  sc(’retary 
is  impi'isoned,  and  the  governor  is  defied. 

1687.  James  IL,  througii  Dongan,  govei-nor  of  N.  Y.,  still  seeks  to 
levy  a tax  on  the  commerce  of  bolli  Ne\v  Jerseys  ; failing, 
he  seeks  by  a quo  war  ranto  to  abrogate  their  chai'ters. 

1687.  Joseph  Marest  and  another  Jesuit  visit  tlie  Sioux,  west  of 

Lake  Superior.  The  French  from  Canada  invade  the  country 
of  the  Senecas  and  erect  Fort  Niagara  ; Dongan,  governor  of 
N.  Y.,  tries  in  vain  to  mediate  a peace  between  them. 

1688.  Haaskouan,  the  Seneca  chief,  advances  with  500  warriors,  and 

dictates  a peace  to  the  French  ; they  abandon  Fort  Niagara, 
and  all  claim  to  the  Indian  territory  south  of  Lake  Ontario. 
A census  of  French  America  show's  oni^'  11,240  persons, 
about  oV  the  population  of  the  English  colonies. 

1688.  The  proprietaries  of  East  New'  Jersey,  to  secure  the  soil,  sur- 
render the  jurisdiction  (Ap.)  ; the  council  of  the  proprietaries 
of  West  New  Jersey  surrenders  the  government  (Oct.) ; and 
both  New  Jersey's  are  added  to  New  York.  Andros,  already 
governor  of  New  England,  is  made  governor  of  New  Yoi  k in 
place  of  Dongan,  the  whole  colonies  between  Nova  Scotia 
and  the  Delaware  being  united  under  him  in  one  extensive 
despotism  ; Francis  Nicholson  is  made  his  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor, in  New  York  and  New'  Jersey. 

1688.  William  Joseph,  Baltimore’s  administrator  in  Maryland,  pre- 
scribes an  oath  of  fidelity  for  the  assembly ; it  resists  and  is 
prorogued  ; discontent  increases. 

1688.  The  Virginia  assembly  proves  refractory  (Ap.),  and  is  dis- 
solved ; the  people  resort  to  arms  and  threaten  insurrec- 
tion, and  Lord  How’ard,  the  governor,  is  compelled  to  prac- 
tise moderation. 

1688.  The  people  of  Northern  Carolina,  after  bearing  w ith  Sothel  for 
five  years,  depose  him  and  sentence  him  to  a year’s  exile. 

1688.  A daughter  of  John  Goodwdn,  of  Boston  (13  years  old),  charges 
an  Irish  laundress  wdth  theft,  and  failing  in  the  accusation, 
pretends  to  be  bewitched,  and  so  revives  the  witch  persecu- 
tion in  Massachusetts  ; Glover,  the  mother  of  the  laundress, 
is  condemned  and  executed  as  a watch.  Cotton  Mather 
preaches  on  the  subject  of  witchcraft,  inciting  the  persecution. 

1688.  James  II.  is  compelled  to  abdicate  (11  Dec.). 

1689.  William  III.  and  Mary  are  proclaimed  king  and  queen  in  Eng- 

land (13  Feb.). 

1689.  Colleton,  governor  of  Southern  Carolina,  calls  out  the  militia 
and  proclaims  martial  law,  but  the  militia  being  the  people, 
there  are  no  troops  to  execute  the  martial  law.  and  Colleton 
is  helpless. 


JJistory  oj  Iha  United  States. 


4? 


1689.  News  of  the  English  revolution  reaches  Boston  (4  Ap.),  and 
leads  to  revolution  in  nearly  all  the  colonies.  In  New  Hamp- 
shire  a convention  is  held  which  organizes  a government ; 
at  its  second  session  it  reunites  the  province  with  Mass.  In 
Massachusetts,  the  colonists,  under  Green,  imprison  Andros, 
George  (commander  of  the  frigate  Rose),  and  the  royal 
sheriff  (18  Ap.) ; the  old  magistrates  are  reinstated  ; and  a 
convention  meets  (May)  which  urges  the  restoration  of  the 
charter  ; the  council  re  fuses  consent  to  the  operations  of  the 
revolutionists  and  permits  only  a compromise  ; William  III., 
on  a petition  presented  to  him  by  Increase  Mather  (Mar.), 
had  recalled  Andros.  In  Plymouth  colony,  Nathaniel  Clark, 
Andros’s  agent,  is  imprisoned  (22  Ap.) ; Thomas  Hinckley, 
the  former  governor,  resumes  office  ; and  the  constitution  of 
the  Mayflower  Pilgrims  is  renewed.  In  Rhode  Island,  the 
charter  is  revived,  the  officers  displaced  by  Andros  are  re- 
stored (1  May),  except  Walter  Clark,  the  former  governor, 
who  wavers,  and  the  colony  is  without  a governor  for  some 
time.  In  Connecticut,  the  government  of  Andros  is  removed. 
Governor  Treat  resumes  office,  the  charter  is  restored,  and 
an  assembly  is  convened  (May) ; Suffolk  Co.,  L.  L,  is  again 
joined  to  Connecticut.  In  New  York,  a “Committee  of 
Safety”  reorganizes  the  government ; entrusts  Jacob  Leisler 
with  the  command  of  the  fort  (June) ; expels  Andros’s 
deputy,  Nicholson  (Aug.)  ; and  makes  Leisler  temporary 
governor : members  of  Andros’s  government,  after  fruitless 
opposition,  retire  to  Albany,  proclaim  allegiance  to  William 

111.,  and  disregard  Leisler’ s authority:  letters  from  William 
III.  to  Nicholson  or,  “ in  his  absence,”  to  “ the  preservers  of 
peace  and  order  in  New  York,”  reach  New  York  (Dec.),  and, 
Nicholson  being  absent,  Leisler  interprets  them  as  the  royal 
sanction  of  his  authority.  In  New  Jersey,  the  government 
simply  falls  with  Andros  (June) ; the  sovereignty  is  merged 
in  the  crown  ; no  new  governor  is  appointed  ; and  the  prov- 
ince remains  without  one  till  1692.  In  Maryland,  as  the 
deputies  of  Lord  Baltimore  hesitate  to  proclaim  William  and 
Mary,  an  armed  association  of  Protestants  is  formed  under 
John  Coode  (Ap.),  which  assumes  the  government ; annuls 
his  authority,  but  leaves  him  his  property  ; and  overcomes 
his  representatives,  who  consent  to  the  exclusion  of  Papists 
from  office.  The  revolution  in  New  England  excites  alarm 
in  England,  as  indicating  a daring  spirit. 

The  total  population  of  the  colonies  at  this  date  was  about 

200.000,  as  follows  : Massachusetts  (including  Maine  and 
Plymouth),  44,000  ; New  Hampshire,  6000  ; Rhode  Island 
and  Providence,  6000 ; Connecticut,  19,000 ; New  York, 

20.000  ; New  Jersey,  10,000  ; Pennsylvania  and  Delaware, 

12.000  ; Maryland,  25,000  ; Virginia,  *50,000  ; Carolina  (as  far 
as  Florida),  8000. 

1689.  Blackwell,  deputy-governor  of  Pennsylvania,  resigns,  and 
Penn  makes  the  elected  council  his  deputy.  Jealousies 
spring  up  in  Delaware  against  Penn’s  jurisdiction. 

1689.  France  declares  war  against  England  (June),  “King  William’s 
War ; ” it  lasts  till  1697.  At  the  instigation  of  Baron  de  St, 


48 


Jltstory  of  t!ie  United  JStates. 


Castiii,  llie  Indians  in  Maine,  in  revenge  tor  11  le  injury  dont 
them  in  1G70,  massacre  23  people  (including  ]\Tajor  Waldron’^ 
and  capture  29,  at  Cocheco  (Dovei),  N.  If.  (27  June) ; Indians 
from  the  Penobscot  take  Pemaquid  (Bristol)  Fort  (Aug.). 
The  Iroquois  capture  Montreal  (25  Aug.) ; New  England 
makes  at  Albany  a treaty  of  alliance  with  the  Mohawks 
(Sep.).  Frontenac  returns  to  Canada  as  governoi'  in  place  of 
Denonville  (Oct.).  Spain  renews  the  Assicnto  Treaty  for  the 
exportation  of  slaves  to  Spanish  America. 

1689.  Mason  sells  New  Hampshire  to  Samuel  Allen,  of  London. 

1689.  The  ])risoners  from  Monmouth's  army,  sent  to  Virginia  in 
1685,  are  ])ardoned  (Dec.). 

1689.  Cotton  Mather,  of  Boston,  publishes  in  I.ondon  his  “ INhuuo- 

rable  Providences  relating  to  Witchcraft  .and  Possessions.” 

1690.  Frontenac  resolves  to  make  a triple  de.scent  into  the  English 

provinces.  A party  of  French  and  Indians,  including I)'Il)er- 
ville,  from  Montreal,  captures  Schenectady  (8  Fel).)and  mas- 
sac*res  60  persons,  including  17  children.  A party  fj-oni 
Three  Rivers,  under  Ilertel,  burns  Salmon  Falls  village  on 
the  Piscataqua  (Mar.)  ; and  being  reinfoi-ced  from  Quebec 
and  by  St.  Castin,  successfully  attacks  the  fort  and  settle- 
ment on  Casco  Bay  (Falmouth)  in  Ap.  At  the  invitation  of 
the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  a congress  of  delegates 
from  tlie  colonies  as  far  as  Maryland  is  held  at  New  York  (1 
May),  and  resolves  to  attempt  the  conquest  of  Canada  and 
Acadia.  Divided  counsels  frustrate  the  j)rojected  land  attack 
on  Canada ; that  by  sea  fails  through  the  incompetence  of 
its  commOviider,  Sir  William  Phipps,  who,  on  reaching 
Quebec  (16  Oct.),  finding  the  enemy  prepared,  turns  back. 
Massachusetts  issues  Bills  of  Credit. 

1690.  NichoLson,  ex-deputy-governor  of  New  York,  is  made  governor 
of  Virginia. 

1690.  The  assembly  of  Southern  Carolina  proclaims  William  and 
Mary,  and  disfranchises  and  banishes  the  governor,  Colleton  ; 
the  proprietaries  are  allowed  their  possessions.  Seth  Sothel 
comes  from  Northern  Carolina,  and  usurps  the  g’overnment. 

1690.  The  Rliode  Island  assembly  elects  Henry  Bull  governor,  and 
organizes  a new  government. 

1690.  The  refugees  from  New  York  at  Albany  yield  to  Leisler  ; an 
assembly  convened  at  New  York  organizes  the  government. 

1690.  Judges  Holt  and  Pollexfen  hold  that  negroes  are  “merchan- 
dise” within  the  Navigation  Act,  and  that  aliens  are  conse- 
quently by  that  Act  excluded  from  trading  in  them. 

1690.  Capt.  De  Leon,  a Spaniard,  establishes  the  mission  of  San 

Francisco,  on  the  site  of  Fort  St  Louis,  Matagorda  Bay, 
Texas.  A Spanish  governor  is  appointed  in  1691. 

1691.  Siougliter  ariives  in  New  York  from  England  as  ro^^al  gov- 

ernor (19  Mar  ) ; he  orders  the  arrest  of  Leisler  and  his  coun- 
cil of  sev(m  ; they  are  found  guilty  of  higii  treason  ; 6 are 
re[)riev(Ml,  but  Leisler  and  Milborne  (his  son-in-law),  with  fhe 
ar>proval  of  the  council  and  assembly,  are  executed  (16  May). 
William  HI.  subsequently  restored  to  their  families  the 
estates  of  the  two  men  thus  judicially  murdered.  Slougiiter 
makes  a treaty  of  alliance  with  the  Five  Nations  ; he  die^ 


UFRARY 
OF  THE 

university  Ot  jM  imo:'; 


Jamks  M a disox. 


Jamks  Moxkok. 


J(jhx  Adams. 


J >iix  Q.  Adams. 

Presidents 


Maii'iixYax  IUjren. 


(First  Group). 


11.  IIAKKISOX. 


JOHX  TXLKli. 


Jamks  K,  Polk. 


Mili-aud  Pillmore. 

Presidents 


Fraxklix  Pierce. 
(Second  Group). 


49 


History  (:f  (he  United  States. 

1691.  Delaware  secedes  from  I^eniisylvania  ; Penn  reuog’nizes  the 
secession,  and  appoints  Markiiam  deputy-governor  of  Dela- 
ware (Ap.). 

^691.  The  assembly  of  Southern  Carolina  grants  rewards  for  new 
methods  of  cleaning  rice,  which  had  been  introduced  from 
Madagascar  at  an  early  date. 

1691.  William  III.  makes  Maryland  a royal  province  (June). 

1691.  Peter  Sclm3der,  of  Albany,  gams  some  successes  at  the  French 
settlements  on  the  Sorel  (July) ; the  French  recover  Port 
Royal,  N.  S. 

1691.  William  III.  offers  a new  charter  to  Massachusetts,  but  it 
reserves  such  power  to  the  Crown  that  Cooke,  the  colonial 
envoy,  declines  it  (Oct.). 

1691.  New  Hampshire  is  again  separated  from  Massachusetts,  and 

made  a royal  province ; Samuel  Allen,  Mason’s  assignee,  is 
made  royal  governor,  and  his  son-in-law,  Usher,  of  Boston, 
depu  Ly-go  vernor. 

1692.  The  French  and  Indians  take  York  (Maine),  and  kill  or  capture 

the  inhabitants  (Jan.);  the  English  restore  Fort  Pemaquid 
(Bristol) ; they  make  peace  with  the  Abenakis,  but  in  less 
than  a year  the  Jesuits  again  incite  the  Indians  to  war. 
Rasies,  the  Jesuit  missionary,  leaves  Maine  and  winters  at 
Mackinaw. 

1692.  William  III.  grants  a new  charter  to  Massachusetts,  including 
Plymouth,  the  Elizabeth  Islands,  and  the  country  as  far  as 
the  St.  Lawrence,  except  New  Hampshire,  which  is  made  a 
royal  province.  Sir  William  Phipps  arrives  in  Boston  with 
the  charter,  as  governor  (14  May) ; William  Stoughton  is 
made  deputy-governor.  The  witch  persecution  rages  at  Sa- 
lem, now  Danvers  Centre  (Feb.-Oct.) ; 20  men  and  women  are 
put  to  death,  and  55  are  tortured  or  terrified  into  confession  ; 
Stoughton  acts  as  judge  of  the  witcli  tribunal.  The  General 
Court  abolishes  the  special  court  for  trying  witches,  adopts 
the  English  law,  and  establishes  a tribunal  for  their  trial  by 
public  law  (Oct.). 

1692.  Usher  organizes  the  government  of  New  Hampshire.  The  his- 
tory of  N.  IT.  for  25  years  is  a record  of  lawsuits  about  land. 

1692.  Sir  Edmund  Andros  is  made  governor  of  Virginia  (July)  in 
place  of  Nicholson  ; lie  remains  till  1698. 

1692.  Sir  Lionel  Copley  arrives  in  Maryland  as  royal  governor ; he 
convenes  an  assembly  which  establishes  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, to  be  supported  by  general  taxation. 

1692.  The  proprietaries  of  East  New  Jersey  appoint  Andrew  Hamil- 
ton governor  ; he  ‘‘serves  the  people  acceptably”  till  1698. 

1692.  Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher  is  made  governor  of  New  iTork  in 
place  of  Sloughter ; the  design  is  revived  of  extending  N.  Y. 
from  the  Connecticut  River  to  Delaware  Bay.  N.  Y.  petitions 
the  king  that  the  otheiy  colonies  should  contribute  to  its  de- 
fence against  the  French  and  Indians.  William  HI.  claims 
command  of  the  militia  as  a part  of  the  royal  prerogative, 
and  confers  that  of  New  Jersey  and  Connecticut  on  Fletcher. 
Penn,  accused  of  being  hostile  to  the  English  revolution,  is 
deprived  of  the  proprietorship  of  Pennsylvania,  which  is  made 
a royal  province,  with  Fletcher  as  governor. 


50  History  of  the  United  States. 

1698.  Fletcher  reunites  Delaware  witli  Pennsylvania  (Ap.) ; the 
united  assembly  insists  on  the  charter  and  code  of  laws 
(May);  Fletcher  tries  in  vain  to  compromise,  and  from  this 
time  the  assembly  exercises  the  right  of  oi'iginatiiig  its  bills. 
Fletcher  goes  to  Hartford,  Conn.,  to  assume  command  of  the 
militia  (26  Oct.)  ; their  captain,  William  Wadsworth,  refuses 
to  yield  it,  and  Fletcher,  daunted,  returns  to  N.  Y.  Tbe 
N.Y.  assembly  partly  establishes  the  Church  of  England  ; the 
most  northerly  colony  which  did  so. 

1693.  Tlie  insurrectionary  movement  in  Soulliei-n  Carolina  comes  to 
an  end  ; Philij)  Ludwell,  on  behalf  of  tbe  pro])rietaries,  investi- 
gates the  grievances  of  the  colonists  ; and  tlie  propiietaries 
abolish  the  “Grand  Model,”  and  grant  the  reejnest  of  the 
colonists  to  be  govei’ned  by  the  charter  (Ap.).  Ludwell  is 
made  governor  in  place  of  Sothel.  The  negroes  of  the  colony 
are  to  the  whites  as  11  to  6. 

1693.  The  Fi’encli  and  Indians,  under  Villien,  capture  the  village  at 
Oyster  River,  N.  H.,  and  kill  or  capture  94.  Tlie  French  in- 
vade the  Moliawk  country,  and  olitain  tliree  successes  ; but 
Schuyler,  of  Albany,  attacks  them  and  liberates  many  cap- 
tives. 

1693.  At  Salem  a reaction  sets  in  against  the  witch  persecution  ; the 
grand  jury  finds  bills  against  26,  but  all  are  acquitted  exccjit 
3,  and  these  are  reprieved  ; Rev.  S.  l^arils,  the  originator  of 
the  persecution,  is  driven  from  Salem. 

1693.  The  College  of  William  and  Mary  founded  near  Williamsburg, 
Va. ; the  second  in  the  U.  Sc 

1693.  Rasies  goes  from  Mackinaw  to  Illinois  for  two  years  as  a mis- 
sionary. 

1693.  The  Spanish  settlements  in  Texas  are  abandoned  ; other  settle- 

ments are  made  subsequently,  and  called  the  New  Philip])ines. 

1694.  Fletcher  and  Phipps,  governors  of  N.  Y.  and  Mass.,  renew  the 

treaty  with  the  Five  Nations. 

1694.  William  III.  decides  that  the  ordinary  control  of  the  militia  in 
Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  belong's  to  their  governments. 
Penn,  having  established  his  innocence,  is  restored  by  royal 
patent  as  proprietary  of  Pennsylvania  (Aug.). 

1694.  Nicholson  is  made  governor  of  Maryland  in  place  of  Copley  ; 
the  seat  of  government  is  removed  from  St.  Marys  to  Provi- 
dence (thenceforth  called  Annapolis). 

1694.  The  proprietaries  appoint  John  Archdale  (a  Quaker)  governor 
of  Southern  Carolina  ; he  governs  with  wise  liberality  so  that 
Scotch  and  other  settlers  are  attracted  thither. 

1694.  Queen  Mary  dies  (28  Dec.) ; William  III.  becomes  sole  monarch. 

1695.  Penn  makes  Markham  deputy-governor  of  Pennsylvania  and 

Delaware  (Mar.) ; the  assembly  refuses  supplies  till  its  privi- 
leges are  granted  (Sep.) ; Markham  dissolves  it. 

1695.  The  English  Council  of  Trade  and  Plantations  is  re-established. 
(It  was  linally  abolished  1782.)  All  colonies  north  of  Carolina 
are  directed  to  furnish  quotas  for  the  defence  of  New  York  or 
for  an  attack  on  Ca.nada  ; Maryland  and  other  provinces  con- 
but  some  openly  disregard  tlie  ordinance,  and  it  is  never 
limforced.  The  attaindei*  of  Leisler  and  Milborne  is  reversed 
Vy  an  Act  of  the  British  Parliament.  ' 


History  of  ttit  (fnma  i^zates. 


51 


1695.  A Public  Post  is  established  to  send  letters  between  Philadel- 
phia and  the  Potomac  eight  times  a year. 

1695.  Pasles  returns  from  Illinois  to  the  Kennebec,  Maine. 

1696.  The  French  make  their  last  invasion  against  the  Five  Nations 

in  Western  N.  Y.,  and  return  to  Montreal.  D’Iberville  and 
St.  Castin  capture  Fort  Pemaquid  (Bristol),  Maine  (Aug.). 

1696.  New  England  men  emigrate  to  Southern  Carolina,  attracted  by 
its  prosperity  under  Archdale.  He  returns  to  England,  and 
- John  Blake  is  appointed  his  successor. 

1G90.  The  Penns^dvania-Del aware  assembly  establishes  a popular 
government. 

1696.  Coloiuai  alfairs  are  entrusted  to  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Plan- 
tations. 

1696.  Don  Andres  de  Arriola,  with  800  Spaniards  from  Vera  Cruz, 

builds  a fort,  church,  and  some  houses  at  Pensacola  Bay,  Fla. 

1697.  Hannah  Dustin,  of  Haverhill,  Mass.,  and  her  nurse  and  a boy, 

being  taken  prisoners  to  Concord  by  the  Indians,  kill  10  of 
them  at  night  and  escape  in  a canoe  (Mar.). 

1697.  The  assembl3^  of  Southern  Carolina,  enfranchises  the  Hugue- 
nots ; all  Cliristians  are  tolerated  except  Papists. 

1697.  Penn  proposes  to  tlie  Board  of  Trade  an  annual  congress  of 
20  members,  chosen  by  the  colonial  legislatures,  to  regulate 
commerce  ; the  proposal  falls  through. 

1697.  The  Peace  of  R^^swick  signed  between  England  and  France 

(20  Soi).). 

1698.  The  New  York  assembly  is  confirmed  by  Act  of  Parliament. 

The  Earl  of  Bellamont  arrives  in  New  York (Ap.)  as  governor 
of  ail  New  York  and  New  England,  except  Connecticut  and 
Rhode  Island  ; he  administers  well ; the  Acts  of  Trade  are 
evaded. 

1698.  In  East  New  Jersey  a strife  about  land-titles  and  quit-rents 
arises  between  the  proprietaries  and  the  assembly  ; the  Lords 
of  Trade  claim  New  Jersey  as  a ro^^al  province,  and  the  pro- 
piletaries  resolve  to  resign  their  claims  to  jurisdiction. 

1698.  A branch  of  tlie  Shawnees  from  Carolina,  offended  at  the 
French,  settles  at  Conestogo  (Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.);  others 
follow. 

1698.  Louis  XIV.  grants  to  Lemoine  D’Iberville  a commission  to  es- 

tablish direct  intercourse  between  France  and  Louisiana  ; he 
sails  with  4 ships,  200  emigrants,  and  a company  of  marines, 
for  the  Mississippi  (17  Oct.). 

1699.  He  arrives  off  Florida  (Jan.);  erects  huts  on  Ship  Island  (Miss.); 

discovers  the  Pascagoula  River  (Feb.);  enters  the  Mississippi 
(2  Mar.),  finds  a letter  witten  in  1684  by  Tonti  to  La  Salle 
safely  preserved  by  the  Indians  ; returns  to  the  Gulf  and 
founds  Biloxi  (Ma^^),  and  thus  begins  the  State  of  Mississippi. 
He  returns  to  France,  leaving  his  brothers  Sau voile  and  Bien- 
ville in  command.  Bienville  exploits  the  forks  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  descending  the  river  (Sep.)  meets  at  a point  since 
called  “English  Turn”  an  English  ship  of  16  guns,  which, 
finding  the  French  in  prior  occupation,  turns  back. 

Gabriel  Marest,  a Jesuit  from  Canada,  joins  the  French  mis- 
sion at  Kaskaskia  (111.). 

1699.  New  Hampshire  witnesses  scenes  of  confusion  for  years. 


52 


History  of  the  Ifniitd  /States. 


1699.  Penn  returns  to  Pennsylvania  (Nov.). 

1699.  Bellamont  arrests  Captain  Kid  at  Boston,  for  piracy,  and  sends 

liim  to  England. 

1700.  D’Iberville  returns  to  the  Mississippi  and  erects  a fort  near  its 

mouth  (Jan.),  whicli  is  soon  abandoned.  Tonti  abandons 
Ro(*k  Fort  (III.)  and  descends  the  Mississippi  (PVl).)  with  20 
Canadians.  D’lljervilh?,  after  selecting  a site  for  Fort  Rosalie 
(now  Natchez),  rediu  ns  to  France.  Le  Sueur  ascends  the  ]\I.is- 
sissi])pi  (Ap.)  and  tlie  St.  PeteT*’s  (now  the  Minnesota)  as  far 
as  the  conlhu'nce  of  11  le  Blue  Earth. 

1700.  Peace  is  raiilied  at  Moiii  real  between  the  French  and  the  Five 
Nations,  except  the  Mohawks. 

1700.  The  New  York  assembly  passes  a law  for  hanging  every  Po- 
pish priest  who  comes  into  the  province — an  outcome  of  the 
intensity  of  the  feeling  of  the  colonists  against  the  Jesuits  for 
inciting  the  Indians  to  war. 

1700.  Pennsylvania  surrenders  its  constitution,  and  the  people  are' 
authorized  to  frame  another.  Penn  receives  the  Shawnees  at 
Conestogo  as  part  of  the  peo])le  of  Pennsylvania,  and  they 
scatter  along  the  upper  branches  of  the  Siisquehannah  and 
Delaware;  his  attempt  to  legalize  mai’riage  among  negro 
slaves  is  defeated;  he  grants  a charter  to  PhiladelT)hia  (25 
Oct.). 

1700.  Yale  College  founded  at  Saybrook,  Conn.  (11  Nov.) ; chartered 

(9  Oct.,  1701). 

1701  The  seat  of  government  in  Connecticut  is  settled  to  be  at  Hart- 
ford and  New  Haven  alternately,  an  arrangement  which  con- 
tinued till  1873. 

1701.  The  Lords  of  Trade  declare  that  “the  independency  the  colo- 

nies thirst  after  is  now  notorious,”  and  a Bill  is  introduced 
into  the  House  of  Commons  to  abrogate  all  the  colonial 
charters  (June). 

1701.  La  Motte  Cadillac,  with  100  French,  founds  Detroit  (June), 
and  erects  a fort. 

1701.  James  II.  dies  at  St.  Germain,  in  France  (6  Aug.) ; Louis  XIV. 
recognizes  his  son,  the  Pretender,  as  king  of  (Jreat  Britain 
and  Ireland. 

1701.  Strife  takes  place  in  the  Pennsylvania-Delaware  assembly  be- 
tween the  delegates  of  the  two  sections  (Aug.) ; the  assembly 
perfects  the  constitution  ; Penn  provides  for  the  separation 
of  the  two  provinces,  and  goes  to  England  to  prevent  the 
threatened  abrogation  of  the  colonial  charters. 

1701.  Boston  instructs  its  representatives  “to  put  a period  to  negToes 
being  slaves.”  Governor  Bellamont  dies. 

1701.  Bilious  fever  kills  many  French  at  Biloxi ; Sauvolle  dies,  leav- 

ing Bienville  in  command  ; Le  Sueur  returns  from  the  Upper 
Mississippi  with  copper  ore ; D’Iberville  arrives  with  fresh 
colonists  and  finds  only  150  alive. 

1702.  The  chief  French  fort  in  Louisiana  is  transferred  from  Biloxi 

to  Mobile,  the  first  European  settlement  in  Alabama  ; D’Iber- 
ville leaves,  his  liealth  being  broken  by  yellow  fever,  and 
only  about  30  families  remain  in  Louisiana. 

1702.  William  HI.  dies  (8  Mar.) ; Anne  succeeds.  England  declares 
war  against  France  and  Spain  (15  May),  the  “War  of  the 


History  of  the  United  States.  63 

Spanish  Succession;”  k lasts  till  1713.  Lord  Cornbury  is 
made  governor  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  as  successor  to 
Bellamont ; he  is  instructed  “ to  give  due  encouragement  to 
merciiants,  and  in  particular  to  the  ro^^al  African  Co.  of  Eng- 
land,” the  principal  slave-trading'  company.  Joseph  Dudley 
is  made  governor  of  Massachusetts  ; he  holds  office  till  1715. 

1702.  The  proprietaries  surrender  East  New  Jersey  to  the  Crown,  and 
the  two  New  Jerseys  are  united  into  one  royal  province  with 
a despotic  constitution,  under  Lord  Cornbury  as  governor. 

1702.  The  Mar^dand  assembly  establishes  episcopacy,  but  adopts  the 
English  Acts  of  Toleration ; only  Roman  Catholics  are  ex- 
posed to  persecution. 

1702.  Pennsylvania  convenes  a legislature  separate  from  Delaware ; 
the  two  provinces  are  never  reunited,  but  they  have  the 
same  governor  till  1782. 

1702.  James  Moore,  governor  of  Southern  Carolina,  makes  an  unsuc- 
cessful attack  on  Fort  St.  Augustine,  Fla.  (Sep.);  the  prov- 
ince issues  Bills  of  Credit  for  £6000,  the  first  fruits  of  the 
war  being  debt  and  paper-money. 

1702.  French  Canadians  descend  the  Wabash,  and  found  an  Indian 

mission  on  the  present  site  of  Vincennes  (Ind.). 

1703.  The  New  York  assembly  grants  £1500  to  fortify  the  Narrows 

(Ap.),  which  Lord  Cornbury  embezzles. 

1703.  The  Abenakis  meet  Dudley,  governor  of  Massachusetts,  at 
Casco  (June),  and  profess  neutrality,  but  war  breaks  out  in 
six  weeks,  and  the  French  and  Indians  attack  every  garrison 
from  Casco  to  Wells. 

1703.  Northern  Carolina,  70  years  after  its  settlement,  is  still  almost 

without  a government  or  religion  ; the  first  permanent  clergy- 
man is  appointed  this  year. 

1704.  The  proprietaries  instruct  Robert  Daniel,  governor  of  Northern 

Carolina,  to  establish  the  Church  of  England  ; the  legislature 
accedes,  and  prescribes  an  official  oath  ; these  laws  cannot  be 
enforced,  the  Quakers  being  foremost  in  opposition. 

1704.  The  Indians,  under  Hertel  de  Rouville,  burn  Deerfield,  Mass., 
kill  47,  and  take  112  prisoners  (1  Mar.). 

1704.  The  Boston  Neivs-Letter,  the  earliest  newspaper  in  America, 
first  published  (24  Ap.). 

1704.  Lord  Cornbury  governs  New  York  and  New  Jersey  despoti- 
cally ; prevents  ministers  preaching  without  a license  ; dis- 
solves the  N.  J.  assembly  twice  before  1707,  and  the  N.  Y. 
assembly  twice  before  Aug.,  1708. 

1704.  The  High  Church  party  in  Southern  Carolina  obtains  political 

power,  and  disfranchises  dissenters  (two-thirds  of  the  popula- 
tion), who,  being  refused  justice  by  the  proprietaries,  appeal 
to  the  House  of  Lords. 

1705.  A force  from  Massachusetts  burns  Rasles’s  Indian  settlement 

at  Nor  ridge  wock,  Me. 

1705.  In  Northern  tjarolina  the  first  church  is  erected  ; the  governor- 
ship becomes  vacant ; anarchy  supervenes,  with  dissensions 
between  Quakers  and  other  dissenters,  on  the  one  side,  and 
churchmen  and  ro^^alists  on  the  other. 

1705.  Moore,  governor  of  Southern  Carolina,  traverses  Georgia,  and 
defeats  the  Spaniards  and  Indians  (15  Dec.)  on  the  Gulf  (near 


54  History  of  the  Uoiited  States, 

St.  Mark’s,  Fla.),  thus  separating  the  Spaniards  at  St.  Augus- 
tine from  their  allies,  the  French,  in  Louisiana,  and  estab- 
lishing Britain’s  claim  to  Georgia. 

1706.  D’Iberville  dies  at  Havana. 

1706.  A French  squadi’on  attacks  Charleston  (S.  C.),  but  is  beaten  ofT 
w^ith  a loss  of  800  killed  or  taken. 

1706.  The  Lords  of  Trade  and  Plantations,  on  an  address  fi*om  the 

House  of  Lords  to  the  Queen,  declare  that  the  ])roprietaries 
of  Carolina  have  forfeited  their  cliartei-,  and  the  intolerant 
acts  of  the  assembly  of  Southern  Carolina  are  declared  void  ; 
the  assembly  repeals  them  (Nov.),  but  establishes  the  Chui*ch 
of  England.  The  colony  swarms  with  negro  slaves  ; Carolina 
rice  is  now  the  best  in  the  world  ; a large  fui'-ti-ade  is  done 
with  the  interior,  traders  penetrating  1000  miles  inland. 

1707.  The  assembly  of  New  Jersey  accuses  Lord  Cornbury  of  accept- 

ing* bribes  (Ap.),  and  rebukes  his  despotism. 

1707.  At  the  instance  of  Governor  Dudley,  a fleet  fr-om  Boston  at- 

tempts to  capture  Port  Royal,  N.  S.  ; it  is  unsuccessful,  and 
the  failure  produces  debt,  paper-monc^q  and  disconlont. 

1708.  A committee  of  tlie  House  of  Commons  reports  that  “the  slave- 

trade  is  important,  and  ought  to  be  free.” 

1708.  The  New  York  assembly  asseilsits  rights  (Aug.) ; Loixl  Corn- 

bury submits  to  its  reproof ; he  is  removed  from  office  and 
Lord  Lovelace  is  appointed  his  successor. 

1709.  Lovelace  demands  a permanent  revenue  ; the  assembly  will 

grant  only  an  annual  one. 

1709.  The  French  and  Algonquins,  under  Des  Chaillons  and  Hertel 

de  Rouville,  destroy  Haverliill,  Mass.  (30  Aug.) ; Samuel  Ayer 
rescues  several  captives ; bounties  of  from  £10  to  £50  are 
offered  for  Indian  scalps.  New  York,  Connecticut,  and  New 
Jersey  first  issue  Bills  of  Credit  to  cover  war  expenses. 

{710.  Col.  Spotswood  is  made  governor  of  Virginia,  in  place  of  Nott. 
i(710.  Robert  Hunter,  successor  to  Lovelace  as  governor  of  New 
York  and  New  Jerse^q  arrives  in  New  York  (May) ; he  tries 
for  three  years  to  carry  out  the  instructions  of  the  Lords  of 
Trade  in  opposition  to  the  colonists,  and  finally  adopts  a pol- 
icy of  concession. 

1710.  The  proprietaries  send  Edward  Hyde  to  Northern  Carolina  as 

governor  in  place  of  Cary,  who  then  incites  a rebellion,  and 
attacks  Edenton,  but  is  repulsed ; affairs  grow  worse,  and 
Plyde  summons  Spotswood,  governor  of  Virginia,  to  his  aid. 

1710.  The  population  of  Maryland  is  over  80,000,  including  negroes. 
1710.  The  English  South  Sea  Co.  is  incorporated. 

1710.  A colonial  and  English  fieet,  under  Nicholson,  sails  from  Bos- 

ton (Sep.),  and  captures  Port  Royal,  Acadia,  and  changes  its 
name  to  Annapolis,  in  honor  of  the  queen. 

1711  A committee  of  the  House  of  Commons  re])orts  that  “the 
plantations  ought  to  be  supplied  with  negroes  at  reasonable 
rates,”  and  recommends  the  increase  of  the  trade. 

1711.  A French  fort  is  established  at  Mobile. 

1711.  Yale  College  is  isemoved  from  Saybrook  to  New  Haven,  Conn. 
1711.  An  Anglo-colonial  expedition  of  15  sliips,  40  transports,  and 
10,000  or  12,000  men,  under  Sir  Hovenden  Walker  and  Hill, 
leaves  Boston  (80  July)  for  Quebec  for  tlie  conquest  of  Can- 


55 


History  of  the  United  States, 

ada  ; through  mismanagement,  8 ships  are  wrecked  (22  Aug.) 
on  Egg  Islands,  north  of  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  884 
men  being  drowned,  and  the  expedition  returns. 

1711.  The  rebellion  in  Northern  Carolina  is  suppressed  with  the  aid 

of  regular  troops  from  Virginia.  The  proprietaries  assign 
lands  of  the  Tuscaroras  in  Northern  Carolina  to  Swiss  and 
German  fugitives  (Palatines)  from  the  Neckar  and  Rhine ; 
the  Swiss  found  New  Berne,  on  the  Neuse  ; De  Graffenried, 
agent  for  the  exiles,  and  Lawson  are  captured  by  the  Indians 
on  the  Neuse  (Sep.);  Lawson  is  burnt,  De  Graffenried  is 
allowed  to  return  after  5 weeks  ; Tuscaroras  and  Corees  mas- 
sacre the  Huguenots  at  Bath,  on  Pamlico  Sound,  and  destroy 
and  massacre  at  other  settlements  on  the  Roanoke,  and  on 
Pamlico  and  Albemarle  Sounds  (22-25  Sep.) ; Barnwell,  from 
Southern  Carolina,  unsuccessfully  besieges  the  Indian  fort  on 
the  Neuse  (now  Craven  Co.),  and  peace  is  signed  ; the  troops 
from  Southern  Carolina  violate  the  treaty,  and  the  massacres 
on  the  Neuse  are  renewed. 

1712.  Yellow  fever  rages  in  Northern  Carolina  ; Spots  wood,  gover- 

nor of  Virginia,  succeeds  in  dividing  the  Tuscaroras. 

1712.  The  Indians  besiege  Detroit,  but  are  repulsed  by  the  French. 

1712.  To  a petition  to  emancipate  the  negroes,  the  Pennsylvania 
assembly  replies  that  “it  was  neither  just  nor  convenient  to 
set  them  at  liberty.”  Southern  Carolina,  following  the  ex- 
ample set  by  Virginia  in  1667,  removes  an  obstacle  to  the 
conversion  of  negroes  by  resolving  that  baptism  is  not  in- 
consistent with  slavery.  Queen  Anne  boasts,  in  a s|Deech  to 
Parliament,  of  success  in  securing  to  England,  through  the 
promised  assignment  of  the  Assiento,  a new  slave-market  in 
Spanish  America  (June). 

1712.  Louis  XIV.  grants  to  Antoine  Crozat  a monopoly  of  the 

Louisiana  trade  (Sep.) ; La  Motte  Cadillac,  who  supersedes 
Bienville  as  governor,  becomes  his  partner,  Bienville  being 
retained  as  lieut. -governor.  There  are  only  28  French  fam- 
ilies in  the  whole  colony. 

1713.  Moore,  governor  of  Southern  Carolina,  arrives  in  Northern 

Carolina,  and  captures  an  Indian  fort  on  the  Neuse  (in  Green 
Co.)  with  800  prisoners  (Mar.) ; the  assembly  of  Northern 
Carolina,  under  a new  governor,  issues  Bills  of  Credit  for 
£8000  (May) ; the  Indians  are  chased  to  the  swamps  of  Hyde 
Co.,  and  the  prisoners  are  sold  as  slaves.  The  hostile  part  of 
tlie  Tuscaroras  migrate  to  N.  Y.,  and  are  received  by  the 
Five  Nations  as  a sixth. 

1713.  The  Peace  of  Utrecht  is  signed  between  England,  France,  and 
Spain  (11  x\p.) ; France  cedes  to  Britain  Acadia,  Hudson 
Bay  and  its  borders,  and  Newfoundland,  and  admits  Britain’s 
supremacy  in  the  American  fisheries  ; the  Assiento  Treaty  is 
transferred  to  England,  which  undertakes  to  carry  to  the 
Spanish  West  Indies  4800  negroes  a year  for  30  years,  paying 
on  4000  a duty  of  $33.33  per  headf  and  for  all  over  4000  a 
duty  of  $f6.67  a head ; during  the  30  years  not  far  from 
30,000  are  taken  from  Africa  by  the  English  anmially,  as 
against  15,000  a year  for  the  previous  20  years.  The  popu- 
lation of  the  English  colonies  is  about  400,000.  Soon  after 


56  Hlstoru  of  the  VniteA  Staten^ 

the  surrender  of  Acadia,  liie  Frencli  occupy  Cape  Breton  as  a 
French  possession. 

1718.  The  new  oliicers  of  Louisiana  land  at  Daufdiine  Island,  Ala. 

(May);  the  Spaniards  prohibit  all  li*ade  with  P’lorida  and 
Mexico. 

1713.  The  seamen  of  Connecticut  do  not  number  over  120. 

1714.  The  expenditure  in  Nortlieiii  Carolina  is  C'lJOO  a year;  Ihe 

revenue  from  land-sales  and  quit-rents  is  only  i'lOO*  or  about 
£21  for  each  proi)rietaiy. 

1714.  The  French  build  and  ^anlson  Foil  Toulouse,  at  tin;  junction 
of  the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosa,  Ala.  Tfie  Clioclas,  incited  by 
Bienville,  drive  the  English  from  the  Cliocta  villages  on  the 
Tombecbee,  Ala. 

1714.  Queen  Anne  dies  (1  Aug.) ; George  I.  succeeds. 

1714.  The  population  of  the  American  colonies  is  about  435,000. 

1715.  The  Yamassees,  incited  by  the  Si)aniards,  massacre  90  colo- 

nists (15  Ap.)  at  Pocotaligo  (S.  C.)  and  threaten  Chai  leston  ; 
but  the  colonists,  under  Charles  Craven,  the  governoi*,  (Ud'eat 
them  on  the  Salke-hatchie,  and  they  retire  to  Floilda  ; South- 
ern Carolina  had  lost  about  400  inhabitants.  The  war  and 
the  neglect  and  arbitrary  conduct  of  tlie  proprietaries  lead 
to  a revolution,  and  the  colonists  determine  to  govern  them- 
selves. 

1715.  The  Indian  allies  of  the  Tuscaroras  are  established  as  a single 
settlement  in  Hyde  Co.  (N.  C.);  the  laws  of  the  lirst  assembly 
of  Northern  Carolina,  passed  in  1669,  are  re-enacted. 

1715.  Maryland  is  restored  to  the  proprietary  ; its  staple  is  tobacco, 
with  hemp  and  flax  ; linen  and  woollen  manufactures  are 
attempted;  it  has  more  white  “ servants”  than  any  oilier 
province  ; their  price  is  from  £12  to  £30  each.  The  assembl}*, 
in  imitation  of  Virginia  and  Southern  Carolina,  enacts  that 
baptism  is  not  inconsistent  with  slaveiy. 

.i715.  The  proprietaries  of  New  Hampshire  abandon  their  claim  to 
the  province  in  despair  ; the  colonists  gain  their  lands  ; the 
waste  domain  reverts  to  the  Crown. 

1715.  Louis  XIV.  dies  (1  Sep.) ; Louis  XV.  succeeds. 

1715.  The  Marquis  de  Aguaj^o  is  made  governor-general  of  the  New 

Philippines,  as  the  Spanish  colonies  in  Texas  were  then 
called. 

1716.  Bienville  chants  the  calumet  with  the  Natchez,  and  founds 

Fort  Rosalie  (now  Natchez,  Miss.). 

1716.  A Public  Bank  is  established  in  Massachusetts.  Samuel  Street 

is  appointed  governor  of  the  province  ; the  General  Court  ex- 
extends  its  jurisdiction  over  Maine  as  far  as  the  St.  Croix, 
and  restores  Fort  Pemaquid  (Bristol),  east  of  the  Kennebec. 
The  Abenakis  had  claimed  the  territory  between  the  St.  Croix 
and  the  Kennebec,  on  which  river  Rasies  had  gathered  a vil- 
lage of  converts  (Norridgewock),  and  being*  alarmed  at  the 
claim  of  Massachusetts,  apply  to  Vaudreuil,  governor  of 
Canjula,  who  tells  tiiem  the  treaty  (of  Utrecht)  says  nothing 
about  th(4r  lands,  wliereupon  they  resist  tlie  claim  of  Massa- 
chus(‘tts.  , 

1717.  Massachusetts  fails  in  an  attempt  to  establisli  an  Indian  mis- 

sion in  Maine,  to  rival  that  of  Rasies. 


History  of  the  United  Statues. 


57  ■ 

1717.  A proposal  is  made  in  England  to  plant  a new  colony  south  of 
Carolina. 

1717.  Crozat  surrenders  the  charter  of  Louisiana,  and  the  territory  is 

transferred  (Sep.)  to  John  Law’s  Mississippi  Co.,  “ the  Com- 
pany of  the  West,”  for  trading  with  the  Mississippi,  China, 
and  India  ; the  colony  numbers  only  700,  including  the  French 
troops  and  the  negroes. 

1718.  Bienville  is  made  governor  of  Louisiana,  in  place  of  Cadillac  ; 

he  selects  the  site  of  New  Orleans  (June) ; the  Mississippi  Co. 
sends  out  a colony  of  800  emigrants,  wiiich  ancliors  at  Dau- 
phine  Island  (25  Aug.),  enters  the  Mississippi,  and  founds  New 
Orleans.  After  3 years  the  settlement  has  only  200  inhab- 
itants encamped  among  the  cane-brakes. 

1718.  War  is  declared  between  France  and  Spain  ; it  lasts  till  1721. 

1719.  De  Serigny,  from  France,  captures  Fort  Pensacola,  Fla.  (May); 

the  Spaniards  recover  it  within  40  days,  and  attack  the 
French  posts  on  Dauphine  Island  and  at  Mobile  ; the  French 
recapture  Fort  Pensacola  (Sep.);  La  Harpe  claims  Texas  as  a 
part  of  Louisiana. 

1719.  The  capital  of  the  South  Sea  Co.  is  increased. 

1719.  Hunter,  governor  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  returns  to 
England  ; his  authority  devolves  on  Peter  Schuyler. 

1719.  The  first  newspaper  in  Philadelphia  is  started. 

1719.  The  revolution  in  Southern  Carolina,  impending  since  1715, 

takes  place  (Nov.) ; the  assembly  resolves  to  have  nothing 
more  to  do  with  the  proprietaries,  asks  Robert  Johnson,  the 
governor,  to  hold  office  for  the  king,  and  on  his  refusal,  elects 
James  Moore  governor,  and  dismisses  the  officers  acting 
under  the  “ Grand  Model  ” constitution. 

1720.  The  Lords  of  the  Regency  declare  that  the  proprietaries  of 

Carolina  have  forfeited  their  charter,  and  Francis  Nicholson 
(ex-governor  of  Virginia,  etc.)  is  appointed  provisional  royal 
governor  of  Southern  Carolina. 

1720.  William  Burnet,  a son  of  Bishop  Burnet,  is  made  governor  of 
New  York  and  New  Jersey,  in  place  of  Flunter. 

1720.  The  suggestion  to  plant  a colony  south  of  Carolina  is  revived. 
1720.  A Congregational  Church  is  founded  at  Newport,  R.  I. 

1720.  The  French  begin  to  erect  Fort  Louisburg,  Cape  Breton. 

1720.  The  South  Sea  and  Mississippi  Bubble  Co.s  burst,  and  produce 
v/idespread  ruin. 

1720.  Jamaica  becomes  the  centre  of  a large  smuggling  trade  with 

t\\e  Spanish  colonies. 

1721.  Nicholson’s  first  act  in  Southern  Cai'olina  is  to  make  peace 

with  the  Cherokees  and  Creeks  ; the  hunting-grounds  of  the 
latter  are  agreed  to  extend  nortli  to  the  Savannah  ; the  Eng- 
lish maintain  a fort  at  the  forks  of  the  Alatamaha  (Ga.)  ; the 
Spaniards  protest. 

1721.  Joncaire  and  a party  of  Frenchmen  (including  a son  of  De 
Longueil,  governor  of  Canada)  attempt  a setthiinent  at 
Lewiston,  N.  Y.  (May).  Peace  between  France  and  Spain ; 
Fort  Pensacola  reverts  to  Spain  ; Bienville  removes  the 
French  headquarters  from  New  Orleans  back  to  Biloxi. 

1721.  Several  M.  P.s  in  England  are  expelled  for  having  been  mem- 
bers of  the  South  Sea  Co. 


58 


Jlisiorj  of  the  in  tiled  ^i>tAJiles. 


1731.  Bernard  de  la  Ilarpc  attempts  to  [)lant  a French  colony  near 
Matagorda  Bay,  Texas,  about  this  date  ; the  Si)aniards  erect  a 
fort  as  evidence  of  their  claim. 

1731.  Virginia,  dismayed  at  the  increase  of  negroes,  imposes  a tax 
on  their  importation  about  this  date. 

1731.  The  government  of  Massachusetts  having  seized  several  Abe- 
naki chiefs  in  Maine  as  hostages,  the  Abenakis  demand  tliat 
their  territory  shall  be  evacuated,  and  the  chiefs  restored  ; the 
colonists,  however,  also  seize  the  young  Baron  St.  Castin, 
a half-breed.  The  Courant  is  started  in  Boston  by  James 
Franklin,  an  elder  brother  of  Beniamin  (Aug.). 

1733.  Burnet,  governor  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  establishes  a 
commercial  post  at  Oswego.  Daniel  Coxe,  of  New  Jersey, 
broaches  a plan  similar  to  Penn’s  in  1097,  to  hold  a colonial 
congress  to  regulate  commerce. 

1733.  The  governors  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  make  a treaty 
with  the  Iroquois  at  Albany. 

1733.  The  first  court-house  is  erected  in  Northern  Carolina. 

1733.  Westbrook  attacks  Norridgewock,  Me.  (Jan.),  and,  the  Indians 
being  absent,  seizes  Rasles’s  papers,  including  his  dictionary 
of  the  Abenaki  langupoge  (now  in  the  library  of  Harvard). 
The  Indians  retaliate  by  burning  Brunswick,  Me. ; the  Massa- 
chusetts government  offers  £15  for  each  Indian  scalp,  after- 
wards £100,  and  formally  declares  war  against  the  Indians  of 
Maine  and  New  Hampshire  (July),  “ Lovewell’s  War.”  The 
Courant  gives  offence  to  the  clergy,  and  the  Council  of 
Massachusetts  resolves  to  appoint  a censor  (July),  but  the 
General  Court  refuses  its  concurrence. 

1733.  Westbrook  burns  the  Indian  settlement  on  the  Penobscot  (9 
Mar.),  probably  at  Oldtown  or  Orono,  above  Bangor  ; the 
Indians  attack  Dover,  N.  H. 

1733.  Bienville  transfers  his  headquarters  back  to  New  Orleans 
(Aug.). 

1733.  James  Franklin  is  imprisoned  for  one  month  for  injuriously 

reflecting  on  the  clergy  in  the  Courant.  Benjamin  (17  years 
old)  leaves  Boston  (Oct.)  for  New  York,  but  not  finding  work 
goes  to  Philadelphia  and  establishes  a printing-press. 

1734.  The  Indians  again  attack  Dover,  N.  H. ; a force  from  Massa- 

chusetts attacks  Norridgewock,  Maine  (33  Aug.),  Rasies  is 
killed,  and  the  influence  of  the  French  with  the  Maine  Indians 
is  destroyed.  The  Massachusetts  government  establishes  F ort 
Dummer,  on  the  Connecticut  (now  Brattleboro,  Vt.) ; it  was 
supposed  to  be  within  the  limits  of  Massachusetts. 

1734.  The  Delawares  migrate  to  the  branches  of  the  Ohio  about  this 

date. 

1735.  The  New  York  Gazette^  a weekly,  is  first  published  ; the  first 

newspaper  in  New  York. 

1735.  John  Love  well,  who  had  obtained  two  successes  over  the 

Maine  Indians,  falls  into  an  ambush  on  Battle  Brook,  near 
Lake  Love  well  (in  Fryeburg,  Me.),  and  is  killed  (6  May). 

1736.  Many  thousand  Germans  (Palatines)  had  settled  in  Pennsyl- 

vania jirior  to  tliis  date. 

1736.  George  I.  ‘‘explains”  the  charter  of  Massachusetts;  his  act 
is  held  to  require  the  assent  of  the  colony,  which  is  givecu 


59 


History  of  cit^'  ''Ones. 

1726.  The  interfering  interest  of  the  African  Co.”  obtains  the  re- 
peal of  the  Virginia  law  taxing  the  importation  of  negroes. 

1726.  The  Maine  Indians  make  peace,  and  the  eastern  boundary  of 
New  England  is  established  at  the  St.  Croix  (Aug.). 

1726.  The  French  build  Fort  Niagara.  Governor  Burnet  makes  at 

Albany  a treaty  with  the  Indians  (Sep.),  who  cede  to  him  a 
belt  of  land  60  miles  wide  south  of  Lakes  Ontario  and  Erie, 
from  Oswego  to  Cleveland,  as  well  as  the  country  west  and 
north  of  Lalve  Erie,  and  north  of  Lake  Ontario. 

1727.  George  I.  dies  (11  June) ; George  11.  succeeds. 

1727.  The  population  of  the  American  colonies  is  about  600,000. 

1727.  Oswego  is  converted  into  a fortress,  despite  the  protest  of  the 
French  and  the  discontent,  of  the  Iroquois. 

1727.  Southern  Carolina  complains  of  “the  vast  importation  of 
negroes.” 

1727.  The  Jesuit  Du  Poisson  ascends  the  Mississippi  to  the  site  se- 

lected for  Law’s  plantation  among  the  southern  Dakotas. 

1728.  Burnet  is  transferred  from  the  governorship  of  New  York  and 

New  Jersey  to  that  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire  ; he 
is  instructed  to  insist  on  the  grant  of  a permanent  salary  ; 
the  colonists  refuse  it ; will  only  grant  it  for  each  year. 

1728.  The  Shawnees  in  Pennsylvania  gradually  follow  the  Dela- 
wares to„  the  branches  of  the  Ohio. 

1728.  Sir  William  Keith,  ex-governor  of  Pennsylvania,  suggests  to 
the  king  the  extension  of  tlie  stamp-duties  to  tlie  colonies  ; 
the  Commissioners  of  Trade  do  not  favor  the  idea  ; Sir  R.  Wal- 
pole opposes  it. 

1728.  James  Ed  ward  Oglethorpe  rescues  debtors  f rom  English  prisons, 
and  plans  an  asylum  for  them  and  for  persecuted  Protestants 
in  America. 

1728.  Vitus  Behring,  a Danish  navigator  in  the  service  of  Russia, 

passes  through  Behring’s  Straits  and  shows  Asia  to  be 
iDOunded  by  water  on  the  north-east. 

1729.  York  and  Talbot,  law  officers  of  the  Crown,  hold  that  an 

American  slave  does  not  become  free  by  touching  the  soil 
of  England.  George  11.  recommends  a provision  for  the 
African  forts,  which  is  granted. 

1729.  Bishop  Berkeley  visits  America ; endows  a library  in  Rhode 
Island  ; resides  at  Newport  for  years  ; and  returns  to 
England  in  1731, 

1729.  Everard  is  made  royal  governor  of  Northern  Carolina  (July). 
Seven  cf  the  eight  proprietaries  of  Carolina  sell  to  the  Crown 
their  rights  for  £22,500  (Sep.) ; Lord  Carteret  reserves  his  ; 
Carolina  is  permanently  divided  into  North  and  South ; 
Johnson,  governor  of  South  Carolina,  is  directed  to  mark  out 
townships  as  far  south  as  the  Alatamaha  (Ga.). 

i729.  Chopart,  commander  at  Fort  Rosalie  (Natchez),  demands  the 
site  of  the  principal  village  of  Natchez  for  a French  planta- 
tion, and  they  massacre  nearly  every  Frenchman  there  (28 
Nov.),  200  being  killed  ; only  two  men  and  some  women  and 
children  are  spared  as  captives.  Du  Poisson,  the  missionary 
among  the  Arkansas,  on  going  to  Natchez,  is  also  murdered  ; 
the  Arkansas  vow  vengeance  against  the  Natchez.  The 
French  prepare  for  reprisals ; New  Orleans  is  fortified ; it 

1 


60 


Uidorjj  of  ike  IJniUxd  States, 

contains  4000  French  and  2000  ne^^roes ; Lonhois  commands 
the  French  forces  ; Le  Sueur  obtains  a force  of  700  Choc'tas. 

1730.  Le  Sueur  makes  a successful  attack  on  the  Natchez  (20  Jan.); 

Lubois  completes  the  victory  (8  Feb.) ; the  Natcljez  take  ref- 
uge at  Natcliitoches,  on  the  Red  River,  La.  New  Orleans 
is  made  the  capital  of  Louisiana. 

1730.  Sir  Alex.  Gumming,  special  envoy  for  North  Carolina,  makes 
at  Nequassee,  in  the  valley  of  the  Tennessee,  a treaty  with  tlie 
Cherokees  (Ap.) ; Cherokee  chiefs  go  to  England,  sign  a 
treaty,  and  are  presented  at  court ; the  treaty  is  kej)t  for  one 
generation,  the  Cherokees  being  thus  made  a barrier  against 
the  French  in  Louisiana. 

1730.  At  Joncaire’s  invitation,  Shawnee  chiefs  go  with  him  to  Mon- 

treal. 

1731.  The  French  e.stablish  Fort  Frederick  (‘‘the  Fortress  of  the 

Crown  ”)  at  Crown  Point,  Lake  Champlain  ; they  estrange  the 
Shawnees  from  the  English,  and  more  go  to  Montreal,  and 
their  warrioi's  put  themselves  wholly  under  the  protection  of 
Louis  XV. 

1731.  Massachusetts,  when  Governor  Belcher  opposes  its  will,  re- 
fuses to  vote  him  any  salary. 

1731.  A site  is  chosen  for  a Swiss  colony  in  South  Carolina,  on  the 
Savannah,  in  the  ancient  land  of  the  Yamassees. 

1731.  Tlie  Natchez  are  attacked  by  the  French  at  Natchitoches, 

and  are  broken  up  and  destroyed. 

1732.  The  Great  Sun  (chief  of  the  Natchez)  and  over  400  other  cap- 

tives are  shipped  to  Hispaniola  and  sold  as  slaves ; the 
French  “Company  of  the  West”  surrenders  Louisiana  to  the 
Crown  (10  Ap.). 

1732.  George  Washington  born  (22  Feb.,  O.  S.). 

1732.  The  first  stage-route  between  New  York  and  Philadelphia  is 
established.  There  are  monthly  stages  between  New  York 
and  Boston,  taking  a fortnight  on  the  road. 

1732.  The  decision  (in  1685)  of  the  Committee  of  Trade  and  Planta- 
tions, that  Delaware  was  not  a part  of  Maryland,  forms  the 
basis  of  an  agreement  between  the  heirs  of  the  two  proper- 
ties. 

1732.  William  Cosby  is  made  governor  of  New  York. 

1732.  The  valley  of  Virginia  first  receives  white  inhabitants. 

1732.  Vincennes  founds  Vincennes,  the  first  European  settlement  in 
Indiana ; an  Indian  mission  had  existed  there  since  1702. 

1732.  George  II.  grants  to  Oglethorpe  and  20  others  a charter  for  21 

years  (9  June),  erecting  the  countiy  between  the  Savannah 
and  the  Alatamaha,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  into 
the  province  of  Georgia,  “in  trust  for  the  poor,”  to  be  open 
to  Jews  but  not  Papists ; the  government  is  given  to  trus- 
tees ; Shaftesbury  is  head  of  the  council,  but  the  most  influ- 
ential member  is  Oglethorpe,  who  sails  from  England  with 
about  120  emigrants  (Nov.). 

1733.  Oglethorpe  arrives  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  (Jan.);  lands  his  col- 

ony temporarily  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.;  selecte  the  site  of  Savan- 
nan,  Ga.,  where  the  colonists  arrive  (12  Feb.,  N.  S.) ; they 
make  a treaty  of  alliance  with  the  Muskhogees  (1  June); 
claim  sovereignty  over  tlie  lands  of  the  Creeks  as  far  south 


3j  oil  tAtcwnJ; 


fiAdlt 

""lyamrofumos 


History  of  iiiG  United  States, 


61 


as  the  St.  John’s  River,  I’ia.;  and  establish  friendly  relations 
with  the  Cherokees.  Oglethorpe  prohibits  negro  slavery. 

1733.  Cosby,  governor  of  New  York,  having  insisted  on  new  grants 
of  lands  being  taken  out  instead  of  the  old,  John  Peter  Zenger 
I establishes  a newspaper  to  defend  the  popular  cause. 

1733.  An  Imperial  Act  imposes  duties  on  rum,  sugar,  and  molasses 

imported  from  foreign  countries  into  any  British  plantation. 

: 1734.  At  the  invitation  of  the  English  Society  for  Propagating  the 
Gospel,  a colony  of  Moravians  from  Salzburg,  in  Austria, 
sails  from  Dover  (Jan.)  for  Georgia,  and  founds  Ebenezer, 
near  Savannah  : in  a few  years  this  colony  produces  £10,000 
worth  of  raw  silk;  also  indigo.  Augusta  is  founded  ; at  the  pro- 
posal of  the  Choctas,  trade  is  established  between  them  and 
Georgia  ; Oglethorpe  returns  to  England  (Ap.),  taking  Tomo- 
chiciii,  the  Yamacraw  chief,  and  other  Creeks.  Discontent 
arises  in  the  colony  regarding  the  limitation  of  the  settlers’ 
lands  in  tail  male. 

1734.  John  Sergeant,  a Yale  graduate,  goes  as  a missionary  among 

the  Stockb ridge  Indians  in  Western  Massachusetts  ; belabors 
till  1749. 

1734.  Zenger  is  indicted  by  the  New  York  government  for  seditious 
libel  (Nov.),  is  defended  by  Andrew  Hamilton,  and  acquitted  ; 
the  trial  is  deemed  the  morning-star  of  the  American  revolu- 
tion. 

1734.  Von  Reck,  a German  traveller,  estimates  the  negroes  in  South 
• Carolina  at  30,000,  and  the  annual  importation  at  nearly 
3000  ; the  latter  figure,  a^t  least,  is  a gross  exaggeration. 

1734.  A colon;/  from  the  Scotch  Highlands  is  established  on  Alata- 

maha  Sound,  Ga.  (Darien). 

1735.  A dispute  as  to  the  boundaries  of  Maryland  and  Delaware  is 

taken  into  the  English  Court  of  Chancery. 

1735.  Bienville  returns  to  Louisiana  as  royal  governor. 

1736.  Oglethorpe  lands  in  Georgia  with  300  emigrants  (Feb.),  in- 

cluding some  Moravians,  also  Charles  Wesley  as  his  secre- 
tary, and  John  Wesley  as  apostle  to  the  Indians ; the  Wes- 
leys remain  two  years.  Oglethorpe  sends  envoys  to  St. 
Augustine  to  negotiate  as  to  the  English  and  Spanish  bound- 
aries (Feb.) ; he  founds  Frederica,  on  St.  Simon’s  Island,  10 
miles  from  Darien,  and  begins  a fort  there  ; marks  out  a site 
for  Fort  St.  Andrews  on  the  Cumberland  (St.  Mary’s)  River 
(Camden  Co.) ; and  plants  Fort  St.  George  on  the  St.  John’s 
River,  Fla.  The  Spaniards  detain  his  envoys ; he  claims 
their  libiTty,  makes  war-alliances  with  the  Ueliees  (May)  and 
other  Indians ; hostilities  are  avoided,  the  envoys  are  liber- 
ated, Fort  St.  George  is  abandoned.  Fort  St.  Andrews  is 
maintained,  and  the  St.  Mary’s  ultimately  became  the  bound" 
ary.  Oglethorpe  goes  to  England  (Nov.)  to  prepare  for  the 
coming  conllict  with  Spain. 

1736.  The  French  begin  war  against  the  Chickasas.  Two  expedi- 
tions, one  from  Illinois,  under  D’Artaguette,  the  other  from 
New  Orleans,  under  Bienville,  are  directed  to  meet  on  10 
May,  in  the  Chickasa  country  (now  Lee  Co.,  Miss.) ; D’Arta- 
guette arrives  9 May,  and  after  waiting  in  vain  for  ten  days, 
and  his  Indians  threatening  to  desert,  he  attacks  the  Chick- 


62 


lltstory  of  the  United  ^States^ 


asas,  Is  wounded,  and  his  Indians  Ilee  in  dismay  ; Voisin,  a 
boy  of  IG,  conducts  the  retreat,  and  carriijs  oifsoiiKi  wounded; 
the  captives,  including-  D’Ai-taguette,  Vincennes,  and  Father 
Senat,  are  toi-^ured  and  burnt,  except  one  who  is  s[)ared  to 
tell  the  tale.  Bienville’s  ex[)editii)i.,  of  GO  iioats  and  pirogues, 
leaves  N(‘.w  Orleans  for  Mobile;  ascends  Ihe  Toinbochee ; 
arrives  at  tlie  gi*eat  village  of  the  Cbickasas  (2G  May),  a week 
after  D’Artagiiette’s  defeat ; al  lacks  it  and  is  rejinlsed  with 
a loss  of  80  killed,  and  returns  to  IVIobile.  Tin*.  Cldckasas, 
Hushed  with  victory,  send  a deiiutation  of  80  warriors  to 
Georgia  (July),  and  make  an  alliance  with  Oglethori)e. 

1737.  A royal  edict  of  France  permits  10  years’  free  commerce  be- 
tween Louisiana  and  the  West  India  Islands. 

1737.  George  Wliilelleld  visits  Georgia  (Dec.). 

1738.  He  returns  to  England  to  collect  funds  for  a projiosed  orphan 

asylum,  near  Savannah.  Oglethorpe  raises  a regiment  in 
England,  returns  to  Georgia  (Sep.),  and  is  welcomeii  at  Savan- 
nah with  salutes  and  bonlircs ; he  finds  the  walls  of  Fort 
Frederica  completed  ; he  stil!  pi-ohibits  negro  slavery. 

1738.  A negro  insurrection  in  SoiUii  Carolina  is  sujiiiressed  ; the 
leaders  are  executed. 

1738.  The  paper  currency  in  New^  York,  New  Jersey,  Fcnn^^  Ivania, 

and  Maryland  is  worth  100  for  160,  170,  or  200  ; that  of  New 
England,  1 for  5 ; of  South  Carolina,  1 for  8 ; of  North  Caro- 
lina, 1 for  10.  ^ 

1739.  Oglethorpe  goes  to  Cusitas,  on  the  Chattahoochee,  Ga.*,  and 

renews  his  alliance  with  tlie  Muskhogees  ; they  confirm  his 
Indilin  title  to  the  coast  of  Geoi-gia.  Wliitefield  retui-ns  to 
Georgia,  whence  he  goes  to  New  England  and  preaches  to 
20,000  people  on  Boston  Common. 

1739.  A new'  French  expedition  against  the  Cldckasas,  with  aid 
from  Illinois,  Montreal,  Quebec,  and  Fi*ance,  numbering  3600 
wdiites  and  Indians,  assembles  at  Fort  Assumption  (Mem- 
phis) in  June,  but  languishes  there  through  the  summei’  and 
autumn. 

1739.  England,  against  the  wish  of  Wal})olo,  declares  w’ar  against 

Spain  (23  Oct.) ; it  lasts  till  1748.  Anson  is  sent  to  the  Pacific  ; 
Admiral  Vernon,  with  six  men-of-war,  captures  Porto  Bello 
(22  Nov.)  and  Chagre.  Oglethorpe  extends  the  boundary  of 
Georgia  to  the  St.  John’s  River,  and  lu-ges  on  South  Carolina 
(Dec.)  the  reduction  of  St.  Augustine. 

1740.  Bienville,  with  a small  dcitachmenl  of  the  French  expedition, 

goes  towards  the  Cliickasa  country  and  makes  peace  (Mar.); 
the  fort  at  Memphis  is  razed  ; that  on  the  St.  Francis  (Ark.) 
is  dismantied  ; the  remnant  of  the  troops  from  Illinois  and 
Canada  returns  ; Bienville  goes  to  France  ; and  the  Cldckasas 
remain  mastei*s  of  the  counliy  between  Illinois  and  Baton 
Rouge.  The  })0[)ulation  of  Lou’siana  is  5000  whites  and  2500 
negi'oes. 

1740.  Ogbdhorpe,  with  a,  force  of  1200  from  South.  Carolina  and 
Geoi'gia,  invad(‘s  I'lorida  ; besieges  Si.  Augustine  ineffectually 
for  5 wet!ks  (JuiK'.-July) ; and  returns  to  Fredei-ica. 

1740.  Massachusetts  oblaius  tbe  removal  of  Govei-nor  Ikdcher. 

1740.  The  iOnglish  colonies  have  now  11  new'S[)apers  : 5 in  Boston; 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1 in  New  York  ; 3 in  Pennsylvania  (1  being  German) ; 1 in 
Virginia ; and  1 in  South  Carolina.  Up  to  this  date  about 
130,000  negroes  have  been  introduced  into  the  colonies. 

1741.  Whitefield  returns  to  England  (Jan.) . 

1741.  An  English  expedition  of  29  ships  of  the  line,  80  smaller  ves- 
sels, 15,000  sailors,  and  20,000  land-forces,  under  Admiral 
Vernon,  reaches  Jamaica  (Jan.) ; receives  quotas  from  all  the 
colonies  north  of  Carolina  ; and  besieges  Carthagena  : in  two 
days  fever  reduces  the  effective  land-force  from  6600  to  3200  ; 
the  assailants  demolish  the  fortifications  and  retire.  A med- 
itated attack  on  Cuba  is  abandoned  (July) ; 9 out  of  10  of  the 
colonial  recruits  fall  victims  to  the  climate,  etc. ; and  the  fleet 
returns  to  Jamaica  (Nov.),  having  lost  about  20,000  lives. 
1741.  The  boundary  between  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire  is 
run,  and  the  two  provinces  are  finally  divided  ; Vermont  was 
then,  and  till  after  1763,  considered  a part  of  New  Hampshire. 

1741.  Behring,  saijing  from  Okhotsk  in  S.  E.  Siberia,  discovers  the 

Aleutian  Islands  and  the  north-west  coast  of  America  (now 
Alaska),  so  completing  the  discovery  of  Behring’s  Straits,  and 
giving  Russia  her  title  to  Russian  America ; he  perishes  on 
Behring’s  Islands. 

1742.  A Spanish  expedition  of  36  sail  from  Cuba  invades  Georgia ; 

unsuccessfully  attacks  Fort  William,  on  Cumberland  Island, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Mary’s  ; attacks  Fort  Frederica,  but 
is  defeated  with  great  loss  (7  July) ; fails  in  another  attack  on 
Fort  William  (18  July) ; and  Oglethorpe  orders  a public 
thanksgiving  (24  July)  for  the  end  of  the  invasion. 

1743.  Oglethorpe  sails  to  England  (July),  to  meet  the  complaints  of 

disaffected  colonists,  and  never  returns  to  Georgia. 

1744.  France  declares  war  against  England  (31  Mar.),  the  “War  of 

the  Austrian  Succession,”  or  “King  George’s  War  ; ” it  lasts 
till  1748.  Before  the  news  reaches  New  England,  a French 
force  from  Cape  Breton  surprises  and  destroys  Fort  Canseau, 
N.  S.,  and  takes  80  prisoners  to  Louisburg,  C.  B.  (May). 
Tlie  fortifications  of  Annapolis,  N.  S.,  had  been  allowed  to  go 
to  ruin,  and  an  Indian  attack,  under  the  missionary  Le  Loutre, 
is  repelled  with  difficulty.  The  captives  from  Canseau,  being 
sent  to  Boston  on  parole,  bring  intelligence  of  the  condition 
of  Louisburg,  “ the  Gibraltar  of  America,”  on  the  fortification 
of  which  $6,000,000  had  been  spent,  and  William  Shirley, 
governor  of  Massachusetts,  resolves  to  attempt  its  capture. 
Coxe  proposes  a union  of  all  the  colonies  for  the  purposes  of 
defence,  but  the  idea  is  not  acted  on.  Tl;^  population  of  the 
English  colonies  is  about  1,000,000  ; that  of  Nova  Scotia  about 
16,000,  nearly  all  of  French  origin. 

1744.  At  Lancaster,  Pa.,  deputies  from  the  Iroquois  (Six  Nations) 

meet  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania  and  commissioners  from 
Maryland  and  Virginia  (July),  and  for  about  £400  recognize 
by ‘'deed  the  king’s  right  to  the  lands  of  “Virginia,”  the  right 
extending  indefinitely  to  the  west  and  north-west ; Britain 
thus  acquires  a claim  to  the  basin  of  the  Ohio,  and  an  Indian 
barrier  against  the  French ; Maryland  is  confirmed  to  Lord 
Baltimore. 

1745.  An  expedition  of  100  vessels  with  about  3800  men  from  Massa* 


64 


History  of  the  United  ^St(ftes. 


17^5.  cniisetts,  Connecticut,  and  New  llainpsliirc^,  under  William 
Peppereli,  of  Maine,  appears  ])cfoj’e  J^ouishur^*  (‘10  A])ril);  an 
Engiish  lleet,  under  Warren,  co-operat<is  ; and  after  a seven 
weeks’  siege  the  foj  tress  surrenders  (17  dune);  as  a reward  for 
their  services  in  this  enterprise  Shirhiy  aiivl  l\ipperell  are 
knighted.  Towns  i!i  Maine  sulfer  from  Irrlian  attacks. 

A tract  entitled  “The  African  Slav(;-T?-a,(l(!,  the  Great  Pillar  and 
Suppoi  t of  (he  Ih'itish  Plantation  d'rade  in  Anaa-ica,  ” by  “ 
iiritish  Merchant,”  is  [luldished  in  London. 

174().  A large  lleet  from  Fiance,  under  D’Anville,  despatched  for  the 
recovery  of  Louisburg,  is  wasted  by  storms  and  pestilential 
disease,  and  is  unable  to  attack  even  Annapolis. 

Sir  Charles  Iviiowles,  the  Hritisli  naval  commander,  impresses 
seamen  at  P>oston  ; the  peojile  arc  enraged  at  the  outrage,  and 
in  three  days  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  imiiressed  citizens  are 
liberated. 

1717.  A French  lleet  of  38  sail,  with  troops  foi*  Canada  and  Nova 
Scetia,  is  defeated  off  Finisterre,  and  all  ca])tured,  by  an 
English  lleet  under  Anson  and  Warren  (3  May). 

Fort  Massachusetts,  at  Williamstown,  op])Osite  Crown  Point, 
Lake  Champlain,  capitulates  to  a large  force  of  French  and 
Indians;  attacks  on  Concord,  Mass.,  and  in  Charlestown  town- 
ship, on  the  Connecticut,  are  repelled.  The  colonics  north  of 
Virginia  vote  to  raise  over  8000  men  to  compier  Canada,  but  as 
no  lleet  comes  from  England  nothing  is  done.  Pennsylvania 
raises  a volunteer  militia  of  12,000  nam;  the  women  furnish 
silk  colors ; Eenjamin  Franklin  is  “the  prime  actor”  in  the 
movement. 

1713.  Peace  being  expected,  the  colonial  army  disbands  by  direction 
of  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  (Sep.).  It  was  believed  that  Britain 
did  not  desire  to  conquer  Canada,  but  wished  France  to  keep  it 
so  as  to  prevent  the  Colonies  desiring  independence.  Peter 
ivalm,  a Swedish  traveller  in  America,  says  there  was  a general 
feeling  among  the  colonists  that  they  would  be  independent  in 
30  or  50  years. 

The  peace  of  Aix-la-Chapelle  is  signed  between  Biitain  and 
France  and  Spain  (7  Oct.) ; Louisburg  and  Cape  Breton  are 
restored  to  France,  at  which  the  colonists  are  discontented. 
Great  Britain,  however,  pays  tlie  colonists  £183,000  (about 
$900,000)  to  indemnify  them  for  the  cost  of  the  capture  of 
Jjouisburg. 

The  ])aper  issue  of  Massachusetts  amounts  to  £2,200,000,  its 
depreciation  being  at  the  rate  of  7 or  8 to  one.  A proposal  is 
made  to  return  to  specie  payments. 

The  College  of  New  Jersey  (now  Princeton)  is  chartered. 

Jolinstoiq'Governor  of  N.  Carolina,  succeeds  in  getting  an  Act 
passed  for  the  cxdlection  of  quit-rents. 

d'he  Virginia  Assembly  passes  an  Act  to  encourage  iron- 
works. 

The  i)opulation  of  the  colonies  is  about  1,150,000;  the  aver- 
ages annual  im])orts  are  about  £75,000;  the  oxi)orts  somewhat 
h^ss. 

1749.  J^euiuington  Wentworth,  Governor  of  N.  Hampshire,  grants 


“Don’t  Give  ue  the  Ship.” 


ANDinnv  Jackson. 


History  of  the  United  States. 


Go 

1749.  townships  west  of  tlie  Connecticut,  in  what  is  now  Vermont, 
and  Bennington  and  Burlington  (Vt.)  are  settled. 

1749.  The  population  of  New  York  Province  is  €2,78G  whites  and 
10,092  negroes;  that  of  New  York  City  is  about  12,000. 

Indigo  is  widely  planted  in  S.  Carolina. 

Under  strong  pressure  from  the  colonists  of  Georgia,  the 
trustees  legalize  slavery,  subject  to  a condition  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  negroes  in  religion. 

Theatrical  reiu’esentatioiis  are  prohibited  in  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut. 

The  partial  monopoly  of  the  African  Co.  in  the  slave  trade  is 
taken  away,  every  obstruction  is  removed,  and  the  African 
ports  are  opened  to  English  competition — ‘‘  for  the  slave-trade 
is  very  advantageous  to  Great  Britain.”  Lord  Chancelk.r 
Hardwicke,  in  Pearce  m.  Lisle,  i)ronounces  an  extra-judichd 
opinion  contirming  that  of  Yorke  and  Talbot,  that  a colonial 
slave  does  not  become  free  by  touching  tlie  soil  ^f  England. 
The  opinion  was  afterward  set  aside  by  the  Court  of  King’s 
Bench. 

The  ‘‘Ohio  Company”  obtain  in  England  (March)  a graiit 
of  500,000  acres  of  land  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Ohio,  with  ex- 
clusive privileges. 

1750.  A member  of  the  House  of  Lords  writes  (Feb.)  : “The  Britisli 

Senate  have  this  fortnight  been  pondering  methods  to  make 
more  elTeetual  that  horrid  traffic  of  selling  negroes.  It  has 
appeared  to  us  that  46,000  of  these  wretches  are  sold  every  year 
to  our  plantations  alone.”  The  importation  into  the  Colonic^s 
of  indented  white  persons  called  “ servants”  or  “redemp- 
tioners”  is  still  extensivelj^  carried  on. 

Mass,  redeems  its  paper  money  at  about  1-5  less  than  its 
current  value,  future  debts  to  be  paid  in  silvej*  at  6s.  8d.  per  oz. 

The  present  boundaries  of  IMaryland  and  Delaware  are  de- 
creed by  Lord  Hardwicke. 

Colonial  pig-iron  is  admitted  into  Great  Britain  free  of  duty. 

1751.  Charles,  Lord  Baltimore,  dies;  his  eldest  son  Frederick  succeeds 

as  proprietary  of  Maryland.  The  Nanticokes  migi’ate  from 
eastern  Maryland  to  the  upper  waters  of  the  Susquehanna. 

The  first  printing-press  in  New  Jersey  is  established  at 
Woodbridge.  Philadelphia  has  a population  of  about  11,000 
whites  and  6,000  negroes. 

Henry  Parker,  Governor  of  Georgia^  convenes  an  Assembly 
(Jan.). 

1752.  The  trustees  of  Georgia  surrender  their  Charter  (June);  the  pro- 

vince contains  only  3 small  towns  and  some  scattered  planta- 
tions, with  1,700  whites  and  400  negroes;  Savannah  has  150 
houses,  “ all  wooden,  very  small,  and  mostly  old.”  The 
people  of  Dorcliester,  S.  C.  remove,  and  settle  on  the  river 
Medway,  Ga. 

A comi>any  of  actors  from  London  give  theatrical  perform- 
ances at  Annapolis  (Md.),  Williamsburg  (Va.),  Philadelphia, 
New  York,  and  other  places. 

Robert  Dinwiddle  is  appointed  Lieut. -Governor  of  Virginia 
in  place  of  Gouch. 

The  “New  Style”  is  adopted  in  Brita'n  and  the  Colonies; 


00 


History  of  the  ITnited  Utates^ 

1752i  11  (lays  arc  loft  out  of  tlio  calendar,  3 Sc'p.  reckoned  aa 

14  So]).  Tlio  coniinenceinent  of  the  cahuidar  year  is  changed 
by  Act  of  Parliament  from  25  March  to  1 Januaiy. 

Fi*anklin  with  liis  kite  brings  down  electricity  from  thunder- 
clouds. 

Boston  has  17,574  inhabitants;  an  outbreak  of  small-])ox 
kills  about  550. 

1754.  Boundary  disputes  with  the  French  have  been  going  on  since 
1749;  the  Virginia  Assembly  grants  (Jan.)  £10,000  for  fi-onti(T 
defence,  and  GOO  men  arc  enlisted.  New  York  and  S.  Carolina 
send  three  companies  to  help  Virginia.  The  Fr(*nch  (;rcct 
Fort  Du  Quesne  (now  Pittsburgh)  at  the  confluence  of  the  Alle- 
ghany and  Monongahela  rivers;  a detachment  under  Wash- 
ington attacks  a French  advance  party  at  Great  Meadows  (17 
April),  kills  11  including  the  commander  Jumonville,  and  enscls 
Fort  Necessity.  Washington  subsequently  surrenders  the  fort 
to  a sujierior  force,  retires,  and  erects  Fort  Cumberland.  Mary- 
land votes  £0000  and  New  York  £5000  in  aid  of  Virginia.  4’he 
British  Government  sends  £10,000,  and  appoints  Gov.  Sharpe  of 
Maryland  commander-in-chief.  A convention  of  dcl(‘gates 
from  N.  Y.,  Penn.,  Md.,  Conn.,  Mass.,  K.  I.,  and  N.  H.,  uKags 
at  Albany  (19  June),  and  Franklin  proposes  a plan  for  a union 
of  the  Colonies  for  the  purpose  of  defence;  the  ])lau  falls 
through  owing  to  the  opposition  of  some  of  the  Colonial  Legis- 
latures. 

Connecticut  still  claims  territory  west  of  the  Delaware,  and 
the  “ Susquehauna”  and  “Delaware”  companies,  having 
obtained  from  Britai:'  a right  to  colonize,  acquire,  with  the  con- 
sent of  the  Conn.  Legislature,  the  Indian  title  to  the  valley  of 
Wyoming  and  other  lands;  the  propi-ictors  of  Pennsylvania 
claim  the  territory  under  their  charter. 

The  population  of  New  France  and  Louisiana  is  scarcely 
100,000;  that  of  the  colonies  is  1,192,890  whites  and  292,738 
negroes.  Mass,  has  2448  negro  sla:^3s  over  IG  years  of  age, 
about  1000  being  in  Boston;  in  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island 
the  ratio  of  slaves  is  higher;  in  New  York  City  they  form  1-6 
of  the  population;  in  Philadelphia,  1-4;  in  Marylancl,  Virginia, 
and  N.  Carolina,  1-3  or  more;  in  S.  Carolina,  over  1-2. 

Capt.  John  Reynolds  is  appointed  royal  Governor  of  Geor- 
gia; he  arrives  there  (29  Oct.)  and  organizes  the  judiciary. 

King’s  College  (now  Columbia),  IShnv  York  City,  is  opened. 
The  first  printing-press  is  iHit  u})in  N.  Carolina. 

1775.  Gov.  Reynolds  (Ga.)  convenes  a General  Assembly  (7  Jan.); 
Edmund  Gray  factiously  atteniDts  to  break  it  up,  and  he  and 
four  others  are  expel leil. 

War  with  France  being  mooted.,  G 'u.  Braddock  is  appointed 
commander-in-(diief,  anil  sent  to  tii  ‘ Chesapeake  with  two 
British  regiments  (F(d).'';  tlu^  Coloifu's  raise  money  and  several 
thousand  troops.  Braddock,  with  13(){)  men,  advances  from 
Cumberland,  Md.,  against  th(j  French,  but  when  within  5 miles 
of  Fort  Du  Qimsno  (now  Pittshm-g),  is  surprised  and  attacked 
by  a force  of  200  Fnmch  and  GOO  Indians,  defc'ated,  and  mort- 
ally wounded  (9  July),  his  troops  losing  700  in  killed  and 


History  of  the  United  States.  tii 

1755.  wounded.  Tlie  enemy’s  loss  is  not  over  60.  Washin^on 
conducts  the  retreat  successfully. 

An  expedition  of  3000  men,  under  John  Winslow,  leaves 
Boston  for  Cliignecto  (now  Halifax,  N.  S.),  and  being  joined 
by  300  British  regulars,  the  united  forces,  under  Col.  Moiicton, 
capture  the  French  forts  at  Beau  Sejour  and  Gasp('iejiu,  and 
at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John’s  river,  and  expel  the  French 
from  the  Bay  of  Fimdy.  The  French  Acadian  I'opulation, 
numbering  about  7000,  are  transported  (Sep.  ' to  the  Bi  itish 
Colonies,  an  event  wliich  forms  the  basis  of  Longfellow’s 
“Evangeline,”  and  on  which  new  light  has  been  tin  own  by 
Mr.  Parkman. 

A colonial  force  of  6000  men,  under  William  Johnson,  des- 
tined for  an  attack  on  Crown  Point  (Lake  Chami)lain),  defeats 
a combined  force  of  French  and  Indians  under  Dicskau  at  the 
battle  of  Lake  George,  near  Fort  Lyman  (now  Foit  Edwai’d), 
on  the  Hudson;  Johnson  erects  Fort  William  Henry  at  the 
head  of  Lake  George. 

A force  of  New"^ Englanders  and  Indians,  under  Gov.  Shir- 
lay,  of  Massachusetts,  fails  in  an  attempted  expedition  against 
Fort  Niagara,  and  builds  two  forts  at  Oswego. 

Pennsylvania  votes  £50,000  for  frontier  defence;  several 
Quaker  members,  objecting  to  war,  resign  their  seats,  others 
decline  re-election,  and  Quaker  rule  comes  to  an  end;  the  an- 
nual value  of  the  proprietary  estates  is  £30,000;  disputes  arise 
as  to  the  right  of  the  Assembly  to  tax  them.  Virginia  votes 
£40,000  and  Maryland  £6000  for  frontier  defence.  Tiie  Pro- 
vincial Governors  meet  at  New  York  (Dec.),  and  ai  range  to  I’aise 
20,000  men  to  attack  Fort  Du  Quesne,  Crown  Point,"and  Nia- 
gara during  the  coming  year. 

New  York  Province  has  83,223  whites  and  13,542  blacks. 
The  population  of  New  England  is  about  435,000. 

The  New  York  “ Society  Library”  is  founded. 

After  a hearing  in  England  the  dispute  in  Virginia  about 
fees  for  land  patents  is  compromised.  Virginia  "first  issues 
paper  money;  it  soon  depreciates. 

The  Connecticut  Gazette,  the  first  newspai)er  in  Cohn.,  is 
published  at  New  Haven.  The  North  Carolina  Gazette^  the  first 
newspaper  in  N.  C.,  is  published  at  Newbern  (Dec.h 

Fowle  is  imprisoned  in  Boston  for  contempt  for  publishing  a 
pamphlet  satirising  the  General  Court. 

1756.  Fowle  publishes  at  Portsmouth  (7  Oct.)  the  New  Hampshire 
Gazette,  the  first  newspaper  in  N.  H. 

England  foiaually  declares  war  against  France  (18  May), 
“the" Seven  Years’  War”;  it  lasts  till  1763.  The  Board  of 
Ti-ade  i)roposes  a scheme  to  tax  the  Colonies  to  help  to  pay  the 
war  expenses;  the  idea  is  badly  received  in  the  Colonies  and  is 
dro])ped. 

The  Marquis  de  Van  lreuil  is  appointed  Goverr.or  of  New 
France  in  place  of  Du  Quesne.  Montcalm,  with  a force  of  5000 
men,  takes  and  destiny s the  forts  at  Oswego,  ca}4uring  over 
1000  men  and  135  ])ieces  of  artillery  (14  Aug.). 

Williaui  Dc  my  is  sent  from  England  to  supersede  IVIorris  as 
Dep.-Goverr’  r of  Pennsylvania  (May);  the  Penn.  Assembly 


68 


Mistanj  of  me  United  JStatta, 


rt56»  offers  largo  proiniunis  for  Indian  laisorierft  and  scalpe* 

Boundary  disi)utes  between  New  York  and  Massacliusotta 
culniinato  in  riot  and  bloodshed. 

Lord  Baltimore,  proprietaiy  of  Maryland.  relin(|uLslies  hu» 
claims  to  lines  and  forfeitures,  and  the  Assembly  grants  him 
£40,000. 

Gov.  Glen,  of  S.  Carolina,  erects  Fort  Prineo  George  and 
Fort  J^ondouii  at  the  head  wateis  of  tlio  Savannah  anddeu' 
nessee.  What  is  now  Tennessee  first  I’eceives  perjiianent  seitlers. 

1757.  Henry  Ellis  is  made  Governor  of  Georgia  (10  Feb.)  iii  i)lace  of 

Key  Holds.  Thomas  Pownall  is  a])poiiiced  Governor  of  xMassa- 
chusetts  (duly)  in  place  of  Shirley. 

At  the  instance  of  the  Quakers,  i)eaee  is  made  at  Lancaster, 
Penn.,  between  Pennsylvania  and  the  Six  Nations  and  Dela- 
wares. 

G(m,  Loudon,  with  GOOO  land  forces  and  1 1 sail  with  GOOD 
sailors,  makes  an  unsuccessful  attem?)r  *i  h u»  e Leuishurg 
(July).  Montcalm,  with  8000  mui.,  ‘j.  tort  Wiiiiam 

llenry,  with  2000  men  under  M unroe. 

William  Pitt  is  made  Prime  ^Minister  of  Britain.  (June),  ind 
resolves  to  prosecute  with  vigor  the  war  in  America. 

Philadelphia  has  about  13,000  inhabitants;  New  York  City 
about  12,000. 

The  French  population  of  Louisiana  is  about  10,000, 

1758.  Pitt  calls  for  20,0j0  men  from  the  Colonies,  Great  Ihitain  to 

furnish  arms  and  supplies.  Including  22,000  regulars  about  50, - 
000  troops  are  raised,  witli  Aberci  ombie  as  commaiider-iinchief. 
Geii.  Amherst,  with  14,000  men,  after  a 50  days’  siege,  eaptui'es 
Loulsburg  (27  July),  and  acepaii'es  all  Cape  Breton  and  St. 
John  (now  Pi  ince  Edward  Island)-  the  inhabitants,  numbering 
about  5600,  are  sent  to  France.  Abercrombie  makes  an  unsuc- 
cessful attack  on  Fort  Carillon  (now  ’riconderoga),  and  loses 
about  2000  in  killed  and  wounded  (8  July).  Abercrombie  is 
superseded  as  commander-in-chief  by  Amlierst,  Biadstreef 
destroys  Fort  Frontenac  (25  Aug.),  and  erects  Fo:t  btaiiwix 
(now  Koine,  N.  Y.).  Major  Grant,  with  800  men,  is  repulsed 
from  an  attack  on  Foit  DuQuesne.  On  tlie  approach  of  Gen. 
Forbes  with  8000  men,  theFrendi  set  tire  to  and  abandon  Fort 
Du  Qnesne  (2^:  Nov.);  tlie  colonial  troops  take  possession  (25 
Nov.),  and  change  tiio  name  to  Foit  idtt  (now  Piltslurg.) 
The  Indians  now  become  inclined  to  peace.  Fort  PownalK  on 
tiie  Penobscot,  is  built. 

Idio  Church  of  England  is  established  in  Georgia. 

The  Virginia  Legal  Tender  Act  is  renewed;  it  creates  oppo- 
sition, and  is  pronounced  void  by  Order  in  Council,  but,  owing 
to  the  elotpient  advocacy  of  Patrick  Henry,  the  Act  is  sustained 
in  the  Provincial  Courts.  The  pro vh  cc  exports  about  70,000 
lihds.  of  tobacco  during  the  year. 

Ticonderoga  and  Cro'^vn  Point  are  abm  doned  h}  the  French 
and  caiitureii  by  Audicrst  (July),  AixOther  force,  under  Sir 
William  Julinsoa,  captures  Foit  Niagara  (24  July),  after  niutiug 
a relieving  force  of  1200  (23  July).  Gen,  Wolfe  defeats  the 
Froncli  under  Montcalm,  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  near  Que- 
bec dJ  Sep.),  both  gciicrais  being  slain,  and  Quebec  sui'rend- 
mu  tho  liritisk 


History  of  the  United  UStat&a. 

1759.  War  breaks  out  between  S.  Carolina  and  the  Cherokees* 

1760.  Mui-ray,  commander  at  Quebec,  is  defeated  at  Sillery  (26  April) 

by  the  French  under  De  Levi,  with  a loss  of  1000  men  and  all 
his  artillery;  he  takes  refuge  in  Quebec  with  3000  men,  1000 
of  whom  are  unfit  for  service,  and  is  there  besieged.  Some 
ships  arrive  from  England  with  supplies,  and  DeLevi  raises  t lie 
siege  (10  May).  Amherst  embarks  at  Oswego,  and  arrives  at 
Montreal  with  10,000  white  troops  and  1000  Indians  (5  Sep.): 
Murray  arrives  witli  4000  from  Quebec  (5  Sep.);  Haviland 
arrives  (6  Sept.)  with  3500  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain, 
making  18,500.  The  French  Governor  capitulates,  giving  ui^ 
Montreal,  Presque  Isle,  Detroit,  Mackinaw,  and  all  other 
French  posts  in  western  Canada;  the  French  troops  (about 
4000)  are  sent  back  to  France . 

A large  fire  destroys  a considerable  part  of  Boston  (20 
March). 

Francis  Bernard,  ex-Governor  of  New  Jersey,  succeeds  Pow- 
nail  as  Governor  of  Massachusetts  (4  Aug.). 

The  Cherokees  capture  Fort  Loudoun,  S.  C.  (7  Aug.),  and 
treacherously  massacre  part  of  the  garrison . 

The  Virginia  Assembly  reduces  the  import  duty  on  slaves 
from  20  per  cent,  to  10. 

George  II.  dies  (25  Oct.);  George  III.  succeeds. 

Georgia  issues  about  £7500  paper  money. 

The  boundaries  between  Maryland  and  Delaware  arc  n.v  ie 
accurately  defined. 

An  attempt  by  S.  Carolina  to  impose  prudential  restrictions 
on  the  slave-trade  is  rebuked  by  the  English  ministry. 

nCl.  Grant,  with  2600  men,  defeats  the  Cherokees  (10  June),  who 
sue  for  and  are  granted  i^eace. 

The  Wilmington  GazeMe^  the  fii’st  new^spaper  In  Delaware,  is 
published  at  Wilmington. 

Newport,  R.  I.,  has  about  650  negro  slaves. 

James  Otis  makes  his  great  speecli  in  Boston  against 

Writs  of  Assistance’'  to  enforce  the  British  Acts  of  Trade. 

Spain  commences  hostilities  against  Britain  (Dec.). 

1762.  France  cedes  New  Orleans  and  all  Louisiana  west  of  the  Missis- 

sippi to  Spain;  Spain  does  not  take  possession  till  1768. 

The  British  fleet  captures  Havana  (12  Aug.). 

The  Providence  Gazette^  the  first  newspaper  in  Providence, 
R.  I.,  is  published.  The  fii-st  printing-press  in  Georgia  is  set 
up  at  Savannah, 

1763,  The  Peace  of  Paris  is  signed  (10  Feb.)  between  Britain,  France, 

and  Spain;  France  cedes  Canada  and  all  the  territory  east  of 
the  Mississippi  to  Britain,  and  to  Spain  all  the  territory  west  of 
the  Mississippi;  Spain  cedes  Florida  to  Britain  in  exchange  for 
Flavana.  The  war  had  cost  the  Colonies  30,000  men  and 
$16,000,000,  of  which  about  $5,000,000  wei  e reimbursed  by  the 
British  Parliament.  The  New  England  clergy  complain  that 
the  morals  of  their  parishioners  ha  ve  been  corrupted  by  service 
In  the  ai  mies. 

Florida  is  divided  by  royal  proclamation  into  two  parts  s 
West  Florida,  from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Appalachicoia;  and 
East  Florid#,  from  the  Api^tebhicola  to  the  Atlantia:^ 


10  H'lscory  of  Uis  United 

1768.  Several  Indian  tribes^  under  l\)nf  iao,  attack  the  coionigto along 
the  frontiers  of  F( ‘11  nsylvauia  and  Vlr^nia  (May),  and  capture 
a number  of  pestsj  the  settle.rs  riitaliate  by  massacring  a 
friendly  trilieat  Conestoga,  on  the  Susqueliannu;  Franklin  dc- 
iiouiu  es  these  murders. 

It  is  ])roposcd  in  llritain  to  maintain  10,000  regulars  as  a 
peace  establishment  to  defend  the  Coioni(‘S  against  the  Indiana. 
In  order  to  partially  defray  the  expenses  of  these  trooiis,  Charles 
Townsheiid  introduces  into  Parliament  a bill  to  Inqiose  Stamp 
Duties  in  the  Colonies;  the  jiro rogation  of  Parliament  prevents 
the  bill  from  being  proceeded  witli. 

A ferry  is  started  between  New  York  City  and  Paulus  Hook 
(now  Jersey  City,). 

St.  Louis  is  founded  by  La  Glede,  a French  fur-tradei . 

The  Georgia  Gnzette^  the  first  newspaper  in  Georgia,  is  stait- 
ed  at  Savannah  (17  April). 

1763-7.  “ Mason  and  Dixon’s  Line”  between  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
land (39^  43'  26.3’'  N.)  Is  run  by  Charles  Mason  and 
Jeremiah  Dixon,  two  English  astronomers. 

1764.  Major  Loftus,  ascending  the  Mississippi  towards  Illinois,  is 
attacked  by  Indians  near  the  site  of  Fort  Adams,  and  corn- 
polled  to  return*  two  expeditions  attack  the  Indians  by  way  of 
I’ittsbuig  and  tiie  Lakes,  and  the  Indians  sue  for  peace. 

A large  emigration  from  the  Colonies  takes  place  on  to  the 
lands  on  the  Moiiongahela  claimed  b}"  the  Six  Nations.  S. 
Carolina  receives  a large  European  ernipation.  Emigrants 
from  the  Roanoke,  N.  C.,  settle  in  West  Florida,  near  Raton 
Rouge;  East  Florida  receives  more  settlers  during  the  next  ten 
years  than  during  the  whole  Spanish  occupation. 

Grenville,  the  British  Prime  Minister,  brings  inTownshend’s 
scheme  of  Colonial  taxation  in  a more  formal  shape,  and  the 
House  of  Commons  resolves  without  a division,  “ that  Parlia- 
ment has  a right  to  tax  the  Colonies.”  Action  is  delayed  in 
order  to  give  the  Colonies  an  opportunit}'  to  suggest  a more 
satisfactory  way  of  raising  the  money.  The  “ Sugar  Act”  is 
passed  (5  April),  reducing  by  one-half  the  duties  on  sugar  and 
molasses,  and  levying  duties  on  coffee  and  other  goods  impoited 
into  the  Colonies,  for  the  jairpose  of  “ raising  a revenue  for 
defraying  the  expenses  of  defending,  protecting,  and  securing 
His  Majesty’s  Dominions  in  America. ’ ’ Massachusetts  protests, 
and  instructs  its  agent  in  London  to  urge  the  repeal  of  the  Act; 
the  House  of  Representatives  resolves  (June),  “ that  the  impo- 
gition  of  duties  and  taxes  by  the  Parliament  of  Great  Brhain, 
upon  a ])CO))le  not  represented  in  the  House  of  Cominoiis,  is 
absolutely  irreconcilable  with  their  rights.”  A letter  to  the 
Colonial  agent  says:  “If  we  are  not  represented,  we  are 
slaves!”  James  Otis  publishes  a pamphlet  entitled,  “The 
Rights  of  the  British  Colonies  asserted,”  which  is  also  pub- 
lished in  Jiondoji  in  1765. 

I’ho  Ih  itish  l^uiiament  also  passes  an  Act  to  restrain  the 
Coloni(‘s  from  making  papernnoney  l<‘gal  tend  u'.  Tlie  Penn* 
ttvlvania  Asseiublv  send  Frardvlin  to  England  (Or*t.)  to  solicit 
the  repciu  of  thci  4ct.  p‘rotcst  against  tlie  Sugar  A'^t  and  tXm 


71 


History  of  the  United  States* 

1764.  proposed  Stamp  Duties,  to  procure  the  abrogation  of  the 
authority  of  the  proprietary,  and  to  get  Pennsylvania  made  a 
royal  Province.  New  York  (Oct.),  ^Iassa(husetts  (Nov.),  Vir* 
ghiia  (Dec.),  Connecticut,  and  Khode  Island  petition  against 
the  proposed  taxation. 

An  Order  in  Council  settles  the  boundary  dispute  between 
New  \ ork  and  New  Hampshiro  by  declaring  the  Connecticut 
to  be  tlie  boundary. 

The  Connecticut  Couront^  the  first  newspaper  published  in 
Hartford,  Conn.,  is  issued  (29  Oct.). 

A scheme  is  broached  in  England  by  Pownall  and  e thers, 
for  allowing  tne  Colonies  to  be  ixjprescntod  in  Parliament. 

1765.  Kesolutions  fur  a Colonial  Stamp  Act  aie  carried  in  the  House 

of  Commons,  in  spite  of  the  opposition  of  Col.  Bane  and 
others,  by  a majority  of  five  to  one  (27  Feb.);  the  Stamp  Act 
is  passed  (22  March),  to  go  into  effect  on  the  1 Nov.;  a clause  is 
added  to  the  Mutiny  Act  authorizing  the  Government  to  send 
any  number  of  troops  to  America;  and  the  **  Quartering  Act” 
is  passed  requiring  the  Colonies  to  find  quarters,  firewood, 
bedding,  drink,  soap,  and  candles  for  the  ti  oops.  In  tlieVir- 
e:inia  Assembly  Patrick  Henry  carries  I’csolutions  of  protest 
(May).  The  Massachiisetls  House  of  Kepreseiitatives  lecom- 
mends  a Convention  of  representativi  s from  all  the  Colonics  to 
meet  at  New  York  on  tlie  7th  Oct.,  to  consider  the  Acts  (6 
June). 

A change  takes  place  in  the  Englisli  Ministry,  and  Pocking- 
liam  becomes  Prime  Minister  (July).  The  Government  ajq  -oints 
Stamp  Collectors  in  the  Colonies,  wliich  leads  to  riots,  in  Boston 
(Aug.);  and  associations  called  “ Sons  of  Liberty”  ai  e foimed 
in  the  northern  Colonies  to  resist  the  enforcement  of  the  Act. 
The  Pennsylvania  Assembly  resolves  (21  Sep.)  that  the  Act  is 
“ unconstitutional  and  subversive  of  their  dearest  lights”;  pub- 
lic meetings — a novel  mode  of  giving  expression  to^'public  oph 
nion^ — are  lield  throughout  the  Colonies  to  } k test  against  it. 
The  Colonial  Congress  meets  at  New  York  (7  Oct.),  and  i^asses 
a Declaration  of  Bights  and  Grievances,”  claiming  as  tiieir 
bu*thright  all  the  privileges  of  Engiishmeii,  including  “ the 
right  of  being  taxed  only  by  their  own  consent.”  A petition 
is  sent  to  England  for  presentation  to  Parliament  (25  Oct.), 
All  Stamp  otiicers  are  compelled  to  resign,  and  the  stamps 
sent  out  either  remain  unpacked  or  are  seized  and  burnt,  and 
it  is  found  impossible  to  enforce  the  Act,  Citizen’s  committees 
in  New  York,  Pliiladelphia,  and  Boston  resolve  to  import  no 
goods  from  Great  Britain  till  the  Act  is  repealed. 

1766.  Many  petitions  by  British  merchants  are  presented  to  Parlia- 

ment for  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act;  Pitt  contends  “ that  the 
kingdom  has  no  right  to  levy  a tax  on  tlie  Colonies”;  and  the 
Act  is  repealed  (28  March)  by  a vote  of  275  to  167,  an  Act 
having  been  previously  passed  asserting  (he  rieht  cJ  Parliament 
**  to  bind  the  Colonies  in  all  cases  whatsoever”;  Lord  Camden 
protests  against  this  latter  Act.  The  repeal  piodu.ces  joy 
throughout  the  Colonics  (May),  several  of  wiiich  vote  statues  to 
the  King  and  to  Pitt.  Tlie  joy  is  dampened  liy  the  ri'inem- 
hrance  that  the  Sugar  Act  is  still  in  forcer  The  liockiiiglia^® 


History  of  the  United  States. 


72 

1706.  Ministry  is  defeated  (Aug.),  and  now  Eai  1 of  Chatham, 
forms  a new  ministry,  with  Townshend  as  Clianeellor  of  tlio 
Exchequer. 

William  Tryon  is  made  Governor  of  N.  Carolina,  in  nlaee 
of  Dobbs. 

Philip  Embury  forms  a Methodist  Society  in  New  York,  which 
afterwards  becomes  the  Metliodist  Episcopal  Society  of  the  II.  S. 

The  population  of  Louisiana  is  about  5500  whites  and  5000 
negroes. 

A controversy  springs  up  in  Massachusetts  as  to  the  justice 
and  legality  of  negro  slavery;  it  goes  on  till  1775. 

“ llegulatoi*s  ” are  foi-med  in  S.  Carolina  to  punish  horse- 
thieves  aiul  other  otfenders;  some  of  the  inhabitants  (called 
“ Scovilites protest  against  this  assumption  of  authoi'ity. 

1767.  Some  of  these liegulators  ” are  arrested  and  sent  to  Charles- 

ton, and  the  feud  nearly  r(3sults  in  an  ai)})eal  to  arms;  it  is 
temporarily  quieted  by  the  establishment  of  District  Courts, 
but  continues  to  rankle,  and  the  “ Uegulators  ’ assume  the 
name  of  Whigs,  and  stigmatise  the  Scovilites  as  Tori(;s. 

The  General  Court  of  Massacho^edts  attempts  to  restrict  the 
importation  of  negroes;  the  negroes  of  the  i)rovince  begin  to 
sue  their  so-called  owners  for  wages,  and  ju-ries  iiivariably  give 
a verdict  in  favor  of  the  negroes ; these  trials  are  the  lirst 
steps  towards  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  Mass. 

Townshend  brings  in  a new  bill  in  the  House  of  Commons 
to  raise  revenues  in  America  by  customs  duties  to  maintain  a 
standing-army  and  to  provide  permanent  salaries  for  the  gov- 
ernors and  judges;  it  passes  with  very  little  opposition.  The 
Act  excites  opposition  in  the  Colonies,  and  John  Dickinson,  of 
Penn,,  coiiimences  his  series  of  “ Letters  from  a Pennsylvania 
Farmer,”  showing  the  danger  of  allowing  any  precedent  of 
parliamentary  taxation.  The  colonial  news[)ai)ers,  iibout  25  in 
number,  teem  with  essays  on  colonial  rights.  At  a large  public 
meeting  in  Poston  (28  Oct.)  it  is  agreed  to  discontinue  the  impor- 
tation of  British  goods,  and  to  encourage  home  manufactures; 
similar  meetings  are  held  in  New  York,  Connecticut,  and  Phila- 
delphia; New  York  still  refuses  to  provide  for  the  trooi>s 
stationed  in  the  Province. 

1768.  The  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives  now  consists  of  over 

100  members;  a gallery  for  spectators  has  recently  been  erected; 
its  debates  begin  to  attract  attention.  The  House  issues  a “ Ch*-i, 
cular  ” (11  Feb.)  to  the  other  Colonies  inviting  co-operation  in 
defence  of  their  rights;  Connecticut,  New  Jersey,  Virginia,  and 
Georgia  give  a cordial  response  to  it.  The  Massachusetts  mer- 
chants are  irritated  by  the  new  strictness  in  the  collection  of 
duties  ; and  the  seizure  of  John  Hancock’s  sloop  Liberty,  on 
a charge  of  smuggling  wine,  occasions  a great  riot  (10  June). 
The  House  of  Re[)resentatives  refuses,  by  a vote  of  92  to  17,  to 
rescind  the  Circular  of  11  Feb.,  and  Gov.  Bernard  dissolves  it. 
The  Assemblies  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  Georgia,  and  NewYork 
are  dissolved.  On  the  news  of  the  Boston  riots  reaching  Eng- 
land, two  regiments  are  sent  to  Boston  fioin  Ireland.  A town- 
meeting in  Boston  (12  Sei).)  requests  Gov.  Beiaiard  to  summon 
the  General  Court;  he  refuses;  the  mec^ting  calls  a Conventioni 


; . • ' ' ■ '•-■,-■  • 


i^:. 


,t. 


|Jf,RARY 
OF  TH£ 

UN!YEP,S‘TY  0»  11.UNC. 


78 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1768.  and  delegates  from  over  100  towns  meet  (22  Sep.),  and  petition 
Bernard  to  summons  a General  Court ; he  again  refuses,  and 
denounces  the  Convention  as  treasonable.  The  Convention 
petitions  the  King  (26  Sep.).  The  Council  declines  to  find 
quaiters  and  supplies  for  the  trooi  s from  Ireland  and  Halifax. 
The  House  of  Lords  censures  the  Convention  and  other  popular 
proceedings  in  Boston,  and  recommends  that  the  offenders  be 
sent  to  England  to  be  tried  for  treason. 

Tlie  people  of  N.  Carolina  complain  of  extortionate  fees; 
associations  of  “Regulators  ” are  formed  which  refuse  payment 
of  taxes  and  assault  the  government  officials. 

The  Six  Nations,  by  treaty  made  at  Fort  Stanwix  (5  Nov.), 
cede  for  £10,460  the  territory  between  the  Ohio  and  Tennessee 
Rivers;  the  fij  st  settlement  in  wliat  is  now  Tennessee  is  made 
on  the  Wataga  by  emigrants  from  N.  Carolina  under  James 
Robertson;  they  organize  themselves  into  a body  politic. 

Bangor,  Me.,  is  settled.  Dartmouth  College,  N.  H.,  is  incor- 
porated. Connecticut  erects  at  Norwich  itsfirst  j a},er-mill.  The 
second  theatre  in  New  York  is  opened  on  Beeknian  (now  Ful- 
ton) St.,  near  Nassau.  Philadelphia  contains  4474  houses. 

riie  N.  Y.  Chamber  of  Commej*ce  is  founded ; it  is  incorpor- 
ated in  1770. 

1769.  Tl'iC  House  of  Commons  passes  resolutions  condemning  the 

Boston  Convention  (Jan.);  Gov.  Bernard  is  createcl  a baronet. 

Thomas  Jefferson’s  moiion  in  the  Virginia  Assembly  to  give 
slave-owners  a right  to  emancipate  their  slaves,  is  unsuccessful 
(May). 

The  Virginia  Assembly  passes  Resolutions  maintaining  the 
right  of  self-taxation,  petition,  remonstrance,  and  to  the  local 
trial  of  offenders.  Lord  Boutetort,  the  Governor,  dissolves  the 
Assembly;  the  members  meet  and  enter  into  a non-importation 
agreement.  ^ ^ 

The  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives  resolve  (31  May) 
that  it  is  inconsistent  with  their  dignity  and  freedom  to  deliber- 
ate in  the  midst  of  an  ai’ined  force,  and  that  the  keeping  of  such 
force  during  their  session  is  a breach  of  privilege;  they  petition 
for  its  removal  at  least  during  their  sessions;  the  Governor 
declines;  the  House  refuses  supplies,  and  the  Governor  adjourns 
it  to  Cambiidge  (18  June).  The  Representatives  petition  the 
King  for  the  removal  of  the  Governor  (Sir  Francis  Bernard); 
denounce  a standing  army  v/ithout  tlie  consent  of  the  General 
Court  as  an  invasion  of  natural  rights,  and  highly  dangerous 
and  unconstitutional:  ajid  refuse  to  provide  ior  the  troops; 
Bernard  prorogues  the  Court,  and  goes  to  England  (1  Aug.), 
leaving  Hutchinson  as  Lieutenant-GoveiTior. 

TheS.  Carolina  Assembly  refuses  to  find  quarters  for  troops; 
and  the  Assemblies  of  S.  Carolina,  Maryland,  Delaware,  and 
N.  Carolina  adopt  the  Virginia  Resolutions.  The  N.  Carolina 
Assembly  is  dissolved;  tiie  members  meet  and  enter  into  a non- 
importation agreement;  Georgia  and  Rhode  Island  enter  into  a 
Bimilar  agreement;  and  New  Hampshire  is  also  forced  into  it. 
Political  parties  begin  to  be  formed  in  the  Colonies;  the  parti- 
sans of  the  mother-country  are  stigmatised  as  Tories,  and  their 
opponents  call  themselves  Whigs. 


74 

1769. 


1770. 


History  of  the  United  States. 

Powiiall  moves  in  Parliamoiit  for  tlio  rei>eal  of  Towiishcnd’S 
Act  j the  Government  refer  tlie  subject  to  the  following  session. 
After  prorogation,  the  Government  send  a Circular  to  the 
Colonies  announcing  their  intention  of  repealing  all  colonial 
duties  on  Ih'itish  goods;  but  as  the  duty  on  tea  and  the  abstract 
right  to  tax  the  Colonies  is  retainetl,  the  Circular  pi*oduces  little 
elfect.  New  York,  liowever,  shows  symptoms  of  yielding,  and 
at  the  new  eiections  the  “Moderate  Paity  ” obtain  a dectided 
majority;  the  new  Assembly  a])])olnt  Edmund  Ibii-ke  their 
agent  in  England;  they  adoi)t  the  Virginia  Resolulions,  but 
yield  so  far  as  to  make  i)rovision  for  the  Rrllish  trooj»s;  against 
this  concession  AU'x.  M'Gougall  issic's  an  “ Addiajss  to  the 
betrayed  Inhabitants  ” of  New  York;  the  Assembly  j)ronounces 
this  a 1 di'ess  a seditious  libel,  and  inijn’isons  iM’Dougall;  the 
soldiers  cut  down  the  liberty-pole,  freqiumt  bravvls  occur 
betwe(m  them  and  the  peoj)le,  and  tiiey  are  constantly  sub- 
jected to  insults  by  mobs  of  men  and  boys. 

The  iMaj-yland  Assembly  passes  a bill  to  regulate  extortionate 
fees;  the  Council  negatives  iU 

The  boundary  dispute  between  New  York  and  New  Jersey  is 
settled  by  joint  commissionei’s. 

Contlicts,  with  bloodslnal,  occur  in  the  Valley  of  Wyoming, 
between  the  claimants  under  the  Susquehanna  Co.,  of  Conn., 
and  the  grantees  of  the  proprietary  of  Pennsylvania,  who  are 
rival  claimants  to  the  territoiy;  tlie  claimants  under  the  Co. 
prevail,  and  they  live  for  two  years  under  a government  of  their 
own. 

James  Otis  is  assaulted  and  nearly  killed  by  a man  named 
Robinson  and  other  i-ufiians  of  the  oji^iosite  party  (Sep.),  and 
permanently  disqualified  for  usefulness;  his  place  in  the  Mass. 
House  of  Representatives  is  filled  by  John  Adams,  a leading 
member  of  tlie  popular  “ caucus”  in  Boston. 

John  Finlay,  Daniel  Boone,  and  4 settlers  on  tlie  Yadkin  ex- 
plore part  of  what  is  now  Kentucky  ; Boone  is  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Indians  ; he  escapes,  and,  aftei*  making  fuither  explora- 
tions for  two  years,  returns  to  the  Yadkin  in  1771. 

Dartmouth  College,  at  Hanover,  N.  Id.,  is  chartered  (13  Dec.); 
it  had  grown  out  of  Moor’s  Indian  Missionary  School,  begun  at 
Lebanon,  Conn.,  in  1854,  which  Wheelock  had  removed  from 
Lebanon  to  Hanover. 

John  Wesley  sends  two  disciples  from  England  to  the 
Colonies  to  plant  the  new  Wesleyan  Church  in  America. 

A body  of  8 sohiiers  in  Boston,  provoked  beyond  endurance  by 
words  and  blows,  tires  into  a mob  and  kills  3 and  wounds  5 
others  (5  Maixdi),  an  atfair  known  as  “ the  Boston  Massacre.” 
A town-mc(-ti ng  votes  that  only  the  removal  of  the  troops  will 
l)rev(3nt  bloodslu^d  (0  March).  The  Liout.-Governor  orders  the 
removal  of  all  the  soldi(;rs;  thceight  concerm^d  in  the  tiring  are 
tried,  but  ail  ar(3  ac(]ifitt(Ml  exu'ept  two,  who  ai-e  found  guilty  of 
manslaught(3r  and  slightly  ])un{shed. 

The  British  Parliament  i*epea!s  Townshend’s  Act  e^ccept  as  to 
the  tax  oii  tea;  and  tlie  Quarteiang  Act  (originally  limited  to  3 
years)  is  allowed  to  expire.  The  tax  on  tea,  however,  and  the 
Sugar  Act  keep  alive  colonial  discontent.  The  tea-tax,  of  8d 


t 


t 


I 


74 


History  of  the  United  States, 


1V69.  Pownall  moves  in  PaiTiamcnt  for  tlie  roi)(‘al  of  To\vnshon(Vg 
Aot;  the  Government  refer  the  subj(^ct  to  the  following  s(*ssion. 
After  ])rorogation,  the  Government  send  a Cii’enlar  to  the 
Colonies  announeing  their  intention  of  rei)earmg  all  colonial 
duties  on  Britisli  goods;  but  as  the  duty  on  tea  and  the  abstract 
right  to  tax  the  Colonics  is  retained,  tlie  Circular  ])roduc('s  little 
etfect.  New  York,  liowever,  sliows  sym])tonis  of  yielding,  and 
at  the  new  elections  the  “ Moderate  I’arty  ” obtain  a d(H*ided 
majority;  the  new  Assembly  a])i)oint  Edmund  lEirki^  their 
agent  in  England;  the}"  adopt  the  Virginia  Pi(‘solutions,  but 
yield  so  far  as  to  make  provision  for  the  Ih-itish  troops;  against 
this  concession  Alex.  M'Dougall  issues  an  “ Address  to  rhci 
l)etrayed  Inhabitants  ” of  New^York;  the  Assembly  i)ronounees 
this  address  a seditious  libel,  and  imjaisons  M’bougall;  the 
soldiers  cut  down  the  liberty-pole,  frequent  bi-awls  occur 
between  them  and  the  i>eoi)le,  and  tb(*y  are  constantly  sub- 
jected to  insults  by  mobs  of  men  and  boys. 

The  Maryland  Assembly  i)asses  a bill  to  regulate  extortionate 
fees;  the  Council  negatives  it. 

The  boundary  dispute  between  New  Yoi  k and  New  Jersey  is 
settled  by  joint  commissioners. 

Conllicts,  with  bloodshed,  occur  in  the  Valley  of  Wyoming, 
between  the  claimants  under  the  Susquehanna  Co.,  of  Conn., 
and  the  grantees  of  the  proja’ictary  of  Pennsylvania,  who  are 
rival  claimants  to  the  territory;  the  claimants  under  the  Co. 
prevail,  and  they  live  for  two  years  under  a government  of  then' 
own. 

James  Otis  is  assaulted  and  nearly  killed  by  a man  named 
Kobinson  and  other  ruffians  of  the  opposite  i)arty  (Sep.),  and 
permanently  disqualified  for  usefulness;  his  place  in  the  Mass. 
House  of  Kepresentatives  is  filled  by  John  Adams,  a leading 
member  of  the  ]>opular  “ caucus’'  in  lioston. 

John  Finlay,  Daniel  Boone,  and  4 settlers  on  the  Yadkin  ex- 
plore part  of  what  is  now  Kentucky  ; ]3oone  is  taken  ])risoner 
by  the  Indians  ; he  escapes,  aiul,  after  making  further  explora- 
tions for  two  years,  returns  to  the  Yadkin  in  1771. 

Dartmouth  College,  at  Hanover,  N.  H.,  is  chartered  (13  Dec.); 
it  had  grown  out  of  Moor's  Indian  l^Iissionary  School,  begun  at 
Lebanon,  Conn.,  in  1854,  which  Wheelock  had  removed  from 
Lebanon  to  Hanover. 

John  Wesley  sends  two  disciples  from  England  to  the 
Colonies  to  plant  the  new  Wesleyan  Church  in  America. 

1770.  A body  of  8 soldiers  in  Boston,  provoked  beyond  endurance  by 
words  and  blows,  fires  into  a mob  and  kills  3 and  wounds  5 
otliers  (5  March),  an  atlair  known  as  “ the  Boston  Massacre.” 
A town-meeting  votes  that  only  the  removal  of  the  trooj^s  will 
jirevent  bloodshed  (0  March).  The  Lieut. -Governor  oixlers  the 
removal  of  all  the  soldiers;  the  eight  concerned  in  the  tiring  are 
tried,  but  all  are  acquitted  excc))!  two,  who  are  found  guilty  of 
manslaughter  and  slightly  ])unished. 

'J7ie  British  J'^arliament  repc^als  Townshend's  Act  except  as  to 
tlie  tax  on  tea;  and  the  Quartering  Act  (originally  limited  to  3 
years)  is  allowed  to  exj)ire.  'Bhc  tax  on  tea,  however,  and  the 
Sugar  Act  kcc})  alive  colonial  discontent,  The  tea-tax,  of  3d 


HUtory  of  the  United  SiateB. 

iWO*  per  ib.,  is  justified  in  Britain  by  tbe  fact  that  a drawback  of  Is. 
per  lb.  is  allowed  on  the  tea  on  leaving  Britain,  the  colonists 
thus  gaining  9d  per  lb. 

Dennis  de  Berdt,  the  agent  oi  Massachusetts  in  England, 
dies,  and  Franklin  (already  agent  for  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey, 
and  Georgia)  is  appointed  agent  for  ^lass. 

Bobert  Eden,  Governor  of  Maryland,  issues  a proclamation 
(Nov.)  for  the  regulation  of  fees,  which  is  denounced  as  an 
attempt  to  tax  without  the  authority  of  the  Assembly;  the 
Governor  declines  to  yield,  and  the  dispute  is  kept  up  for  several 
years. 

The  Massachusetts  Spy  is  first  published,  in  Boston  (July). 

Tin-ware  is  first  manufactured  in  the  U.  S.  at  Beilin,  Conn. 

Queen’s  College  (named  Paitgers  College  in  1825),  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J,,  established  in  the  interest  of  the  Dutch  Ke- 
formed  Church,  is  chartered. 

John  Murray,  thefatlier  of  Universalism  in  America,  arrives 
in  America  from  England. 

'Wliitefield  dies  (30  8ep.)  at  Newburyport, Mass.,  aged  55  years. 

Rhode  Island  College  (named  Brown  University  in  1804,  in 
honor  of  Nicholas  Brown,  a benefactor)  is  removed  from 
Warren  to  Providence. 

The  total  exports  for  the  year  from  the  Colonies  to  Great 
Britain  are  $4,493,150;  the  imports,  $8,549,749. 

1771.  A dispute  arises  between  the  Mass.  House  of  Representatives 

and  the  Govei  nor,  as  to  the  taxation  of  the  salaries  of  Crown 
officials,  and  the  House  is  prorogued  without  having  granted 
supplies. 

Frederick,  Loi-d  Baltimore,  dies  without  lawful  issue,  and 
devises  Maryland  to  a natural  son,  Henry  Harford,  a boy  at 
school. 

Tryon,  Governor  of  N.  Carolina,  with  a body  of  volunteer 
militia,  marches  against  the  Regulators,  and  defeats  them  at 
Alamance  (IG  May^,  the  total  killed  and  wounded  being  200; 
six  of  the  Regulators  are  executed  for  high  treason. 

Tryon  is  made  Governor  of  New  York  (June),  and  Josiah 
Martin  is  made  Governor  of  N.  Carolina ; he  successfully 
cultivates  the  good-will  of  tlie  Regulators. 

An  Order  in  Council  confirms  the  title  of  New'  Y^ork  to  wiiat 
is  now' Vermont;  New' York  insists  on  the  settlers  taking  out 
new'  land-grants,  at  exhorbitant  fees;  disputes  arise  in  conse- 
quence. The  leaders  in  resistance  are  Ethan  Allen  and  Seth 
Warner,  and  their  follow'ers  are  called  Green  Mountain  Boys.’' 

The  settlers  in  Tennessee  obtain  an  8 years’  lease  of  their 
lands  from  the  Cherokees. 

The  Albany  Gazette^  the  first  newspaper  in  Albany,  is  started 

(Nov.). 

New  York  Province  has  148,174  whites  and  19.833  negroes: 
the  city,  21,363. 

1772.  Gov.  Tryon,  of  N.  Y'.,  makes  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  .settle 

the  dispute  with  the  Green  Mountain  Boys;  and  in  1773  goes  to 
Enoland  to  lay  the  matter  before  the  Government. 

d'he  Crown  resolves  to  pay  the  salary  of  the  Governor  of 
Massacliusetts  for  the  future;  tlie  House  denounces  this  as  a 


History  of  the  United  Slates. 

1770.  per  ib.,  Is  jnsfcified  in  Britain  by  the  fad  that  a clrawbaek  of  Is. 
per  lb.  is  allowed  on  the  tea  on  leaving  Britain,  the  colonists 
thus  gaining  9d  per  lb. 

Dennis  de  Berdt,  the  agent  ol  Massachusetts  in  England, 
dies,  and  Franklin  (already  agent  for  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey, 
and  Georgia)  is  appointed  agent  for  Mass. 

Kobert  Eden,  Governor  of  Maryland,  issues  a proclamation 
(Nov.)  for  the  regulation  of  fees,  wliieh  is  denounced  as  an 
attempt  to  tax  without  the  autlioiity  of  the  Assembly;  the 
Governor  decliiK.s  to  yield,  and  the  disj  ute  is  kept  up  for  several 
years. 

The  Massacliusetts  S2'>y  is  first  publislicd,  in  Boston  (July). 

Tin-waie  is  first  inaniifactured  in  tlie  V.  8.  at  Berlin,  Conn. 

Queen’s  College  (named  Kutgers  Corieg<;  in  1825),  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  established  in  the  ii)teiest  of  ilie  Dutch  Re- 
formed Church,  is  cliartered. 

John  Murray,  the  father  of  Universaiisin  in  America,  arrives 
in  America  from  England. 

Wliitetield  dies  (80 Sep.)  at  Newbury] :-ort,  Mass.,  aged  55  years. 

Rhode  Island  College  (named  Blown  University  in  1804,  in 
lionor  of  Nicholas  Brown,  a benefactor)  is  removeu  from 
Warren  to  Providence. 

d’he  total  expoits  for  the  year  from  the  Colonies  to  Great 
Bi’itain  ai-e  $4,493,150;  the  im])oits,  $8,549,749. 

17  ri.  A dis’iiute  arises  between  the  Mass,  ilouse  of  Representatives 
and  the  Governor,  as  to  the  taxation  of  the  salaries  of  Crown 
otlicials,  and  the  Ilouse  is  prorogued  without  having  granted 
supplies. 

Frederick,  Lord  Baltimore,  dies  without  lawful  issue,  and 
devises  Maryland  to  a natural  son,  Henry  Harford,  a boy  at 
school. 

Tiyon,  Governor  of  N.  Carolina,  with  a body  of  volunteer 
militia,  marches  against  the  Regulators,  and  defeats  them  at 
Alamance  (16  May),  the  total  killed  and  wounded  being  200; 
' six  of  tlie  Regulators  are  executed  for  high  treason. 

Tryon  is  made  Governor  of  New  York  (June),  and  Josiah 
Martin  is  made  Governor  of  N.  Carolina;  he  successfully 
cultivates  the  good-will  of  tlie  Regulators. 

An  Order  in  Council  confirms  tiie  title  of  New  York  to  what 
is  now  Vermont;  New  York  insists  on  the  settlers  taking  out 
new  laiv.Ugrants,  at  cxliorbitant  fees;  d*S]  cates  a:ise  inconse- 
quence. The  leaders  in  resistance  are  Ethan  Allen  and  Seth 
Warner,  and  their  followers  are  called  Green  Mountain  Boys.’' 

4’he  settlers  in  Tennessee  obtain  an  8 years’  lease  of  their 
lands  from  the  Cherokees. 

The  Albany  Gazette,  the  first  newspaper  in  Albany,  is  started 
(Nov.). 

New  York  Province  has  148,174  whites  and  19,883  negroes; 
the  city,  21,868. 

5,772.  Gov.  'I'ryon,  of  N.  Y.,  makes  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  settle 
the  dlsjinte  with  the  Green  Mountain  Bo3^s;  and  in  1778  goes  to 
England  to  lay  the  matter  before  the  Government. 

’i'he  Crown  resolves  to  pay  the  ? ;Jary  of  tlie  Governor  of 
aiassacUusetbr  foi  future;,  lUc  denounces  this  as » 


76 


History  of  the  United  States. 


1772.  violation  of  their  Cliartei-,  aird  a hi*ibe  from  tlio  Crown  to  the 
Governor.  A town-meeting  is  lield  (28  Oct.),  at  whicli  a Com- 
mittee is  appointed  to  -^ate  the  riglits  of  tlie  Colonists,  and  the 
infringements  of  them,  d'he  Committee  rei)oi’ts  the  following 
list  of  grievances:  the  attempts  to  tax  the  Colonies;  the  Act 
requiring  i)ersons  to  be  sent  to  England  for  trial  in  certain 
ca.ses;  tlie  restraints  on  Colonial  manufactures,  es])ecially  wool 
and  iron;  and  the  alleged  scheme  to  establish  bishops  in  Am- 
erica. Eranklin  has  the  report  printed  in  London,  with  a pro- 
face  of  his  own. 

Mrs.  Ann  Lee  (“Mother  Ann,”  the  founder  of  the  Shakers  in 
America)  emigrates  froin  England  (May)  to  America  and  estab- 
lishes there  “the  Church  of  (Jhi-isEs  Second  Apj^eai'ing.” 

About  300  German  families  emigrate  from  Maine  to  S.  Caro- 
lina. About  0000  negroes  are  impoided  into  S.  Carolina. 

The  revenue  schooner  Oanp^^  employed  in  Narragansett  Bay, 
having  become  obnoxious  to'  the  people,  is  bui-nt  ])y  a paity 
from  lAovidence  (June);  a reward  of  £000  is  ottered  for  their 
discovery,  but  though  they  are  well  known,  no  legal  evidence 
can  be  obtained  against  them. 

In  the  English  Court  of  King’s  Bench,  Lord  Mansfield,  in 
the  case  of  James  Somersett,  an  American  slave,  decides  (22 
June)  that  slavery  is  not  “ allowed  or  approved  by  the  law  of 
England,”  a decision  which  liberates  about  14,000  or  15,000 
persons  in  England,  who  had  hitherto  been  deemed  slaves. 

Umbrellas  are  first  introduced  into  the  U.  S.,  from  India. 

1773.  Gov.  Hutchinson  objects  to  the  Boston  Committee’s  report  as  a 

denial  of  the  supreme  authority  of  Parliament;  but  the  Council 
and  the  House  of  Representatives  reply,  maintaining  the  report. 
The  reply  is  sent  to  the  Virginia  Assembly,  then  in  session 
(Feb.),  which  appoints  a Committee  (March)  to  investigate 
the  relations  of  the  Colonies,  and  to  correspond  with  the  other 
Colonies  on  the  subject;  Lord  Duninore,  the  Governor,  dis- 
solves the  Assembly.  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  Pennsylvania,  and  Maryland  appoint  simi- 
lar Committees — the  first  steps  toward  the  political  union  of  the 
Colonies. 

Private  letters  written  by  Gov.  Hutchinson  disparaging  the 
populaiTeaders  in  Massachusetts  are  made  public  there,  and  the 
General  Court  addresses  the  King  (9  June)  requesting  his  speedy 
removal. 

Coiinecticut  assumes  jurisdiction  over  the  Wyoming  settle- 
ment, and  incorporates  it  as  the  town  of  Westmoreland,  and 
part  of  the  county  of  Litchfield.  The  Pennsylvania  Assembly 
constitutes  the  same  region  the  county  of  Northumberland. 
The  dispute  is  taken  before  the  King  in  Council,  but  the  decision 
being  delayed.  Gov.  Penn  makes  unavailing  efiorts  to  expel  the 
Connecticut  settlers.  Territorial  disputes  arise  between  Penn- 
sylvania and  Virginia  as  to  Pittsburg  and  the  district  west  of  the 
Laurel  Mountains. 

JJie  MarylaadJournal  andBaltimore  Advertiser ^ the  first  news- 
draper  in  Ihiltimore,  is  issued  (20  Aug.).' 

The  tea-tax  is  substantially  nullified  in  .the  Colonies,  partly 
by  smuggling,  and  partly  by  non-importation  and  non-consump- 


77 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1773.  tioii  agreciTients.  In  Engiaiul  a drawl>aek  of  tlie  whole  duty  is 
revived;  and  the  East  India  Co.  is  allowed  to  exi;oit  tea  diiect 
to  the  Coloni(5S.  The  Colonies  take  immediate  steys  to  coimter- 
work  this  jn-ojeet.  A public  meeting  (2  Oct.^  in  Fhiladelj)hia 
protests  against  tiixation  by  Pariiament,  and  (leiiounces  “ who- 
soever shall  aid  or  abet  in  unloading,  receiving,  or  vending  the 
tea  as  “an  enemy  to  his  country.”  Town-meetings  are  held 
in  Boston  (3,  5,  17,  18  Nov.)  whicli  ado])t  tlie  Pliiladelphia  leso- 
lutions,  and  call  on  the  consignees  of  liie  tcji  to  resign;  and 
there  is  some  rioting.  The  consignees  jx  tition  tlie  Cov('rnor 
and  Council  (19  Nov.)  to  take  measures  to  secure  the  tea;  before 
the  Council  ai  riveat  a decision  one  of  the  tea-ships  arrives  (27), 
and  the  Council  notify  the  Covernoi-  (28  tied  the}'  will  not  be 
parties  to  an  unconstitutional  attempt  to  levy  taxes. 

Neigliboring  towns  sustain  Boston.  A “body”  of  people  of 
Boston  and  the  neighboring  towns  meet  at  Faiieuil  Hall  (29), 
order  the  tea-shi])  to  be  moored  at  a ceitain  wharf,  and  ajipoiiit 
a guard  of  25  to  watch  her.  Another  meeting  is  held 
(30),  and  the  owners  of  the  tea-ships  are  comiielled  to 
promise  to  send  them  back.  The  Governor,  however,  refuses 
to  permit  a clearance  till  the  cargo  is  landed.  Two  other  tea- 
ships  arrive  and  ai*e  taken  into  the  peo])le’s  custody  like  the 
other.  The  “body”  reassembles  (14  Dec.)  and  demands  a 
clearance,  which  the  collector  refuses  till  the  cargoes  are  landed. 
The  Governor  refuses  a similar  demand,  and  a baud  of  50  men, 
disguised  as  Mohawks,  board  the  tea-vessels  and  empty  the 
cargoes  of  342  chests  of  tea  into  the  harbor  (IG  Dec.). 

At  Philadelphia  tlie  captain  of  a tea-ship  is  persuaded  to  return 
to  England  without  attempting  to  land  his  cargo  (25  Dec.). 

A steam-engine  is  constructed  in  Philadeliihia,  the  tirst  in 
America, 

1774.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  objects  to  the  payment  of 

judges’  salaries  by  the  Crown;  4 of  the  live  judges  i)romise  to 
continue  to  take  their  payfi‘om  the  Province;  Oliver,  the  Chief- 
Justice,  declines  to  do  this,  and  the  House  impeaches  him; 
Lieut. -Gov.  Hutchinson  then  prorogues  tlie  House. 

The  petition  of  Massachusetts  for  the  removal  of  Gov.  Hut- 
chinsoii  is  heard  before  the  Privy  Council  (29  Feb.),  and  dis- 
missed as  “groundless,  scandalous,  and  vexatious.” 

On  the  action  of  Boston  with  regard  to  the  tea  becoming 
known  in  England  (4  March),  Parliament,  at  the  instance  of 
Lord  Noj  th,  and  in  spite  of  the  opposition  of  Bui  ke,  passes  (25 
March)  the  “Boston  Port  Bill,”  shutting  up  Boston  Harbor, 
and  i*emoving  the  seat  of  Government  to  Salem;  also  a bill  for 
regulating  tlie  government  of  the  Province  which,  in  elTect, 
abrogates  the  charter;  also  a bill  providing  for  the  trial  in  Eng- 
land of  all  persons  charged  in  the  Colonies  with  murders  com- 
mitted in  supi)Oi  t of  the  Government.  Burke  moves  to  repeal 
the  tea-tax,  but  without  success. 

A tea-ship  arrives  at  Sandy  Hook  (21  April),  but  the  pilots, 
under  instiaictions  from  the  city  Committee,  refuse  to  bring  her 
up,  and  a “Committee  of  Vigiiants  ” take  possession  of  her;  in 
^ few  days  she  returns  to  England.  Another  ship  arriveSj  with 


78  History  of  the  UnUed  States. 

1774.  18  cliosts  of  tea,  which  tlie  i)eo[)lo  seize  and  empty  Into  the 

river. 

Atea-sliip  arrives  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  (21  Ai)ril);  tlie  tea  is 
landed,  hvit  !)eiii^  store  1 in  damp  cellai’s  soon  becomes  worthless. 

Gen.  Gage,  sent  over  as  Governor  of  Masse.clmsctts,  with  4 
regiments,  arrives  in  Iloston  (1‘1  Mmv).  Massiicln.isetts  sends 
Paul  Ih'vere,  a lloston  ni(H*liani(^  and  a “ Son  of  Lilxiity,”  to 
New  York  and  Idiil.i  lelphia  to  invoke  co-operation.  Public 
meetings  are  led.  1 at  Pi'ovi  lence  (17)  ami  Newport  (30)  respond- 
ing to  i>osto?i,  ail  1 suggesting  a Contimnirnl  Congre.ss. 

A (‘ominitteo  meeting  in  New  York  proposes  a,  “ Congress  of 
dej)nti(is  from  the  Coloni(‘s’’  (20  Ahiy),  an  1 \v:-ites  to  Uoston 
asking  the  cosnuittce  there  to  tix:  a time  and  plai-e  of  meeting. 
Similar  nif^etings  are  helvl  in  Philadeliiliia  (2()),  Anmipolis,  Md. 
(26),  and  Baltimore. 

ddie  Connecticut  Legislature  condemns  tlio  latve  Acts  of  Par- 
liament, and  recoinnamds  a.  Continental  Congress  (24  Mjiy). 
The  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses  aippoints  1 June  as  a f;ist-day; 
and  Phila  lel[)hia  and  other  places  do  the  sa  ne.  Gov.  Dun- 
more  dissolves  the  Vii’ginia  House  (26  May),  whereupon  most  of 
the  members  meet  (27)  and  declare  that  an  Jittack  on  one  Col- 
ony is  an  attack  on  all. 

The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  meets  at  P>oston  (26  May) 
to  elect  counselors;  Gov.  Gage  adjoui-ns  it  to  Salem,  where  it 
meets  (7  June),  and  recoiiimends  entire  abstinence  from  British 
goods,  recpiests  the  Governor  to  appoint  a fast-day,  and  on  his 
refusal  aiiiioints  one  itself,  resolves  that  a Colonial  Congres-  is 
necessary  in  order  to  consult  on  the  present  state  of  the  country, 
and  suggests  chat  it  should  be  held  at  Phila.  on  the  1 Sep.  Gov. 
Gage,  hearing  of  these  proceedings,  dissolves  the  Court 
(17  June),  and  so  ends  the  last  provincial  General  Court  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. A public  meeting  in  Boston  (8  June)  adopts  the 
non-importation  and  non-consumi)tion  agreement,  to  begin  ; 
Oct.  Other  towns  hold  meetings  in  support  of  Massachusetts. 

Conventions  and  committees  meet  in  tlie  various  Colonies  anc 
appoint  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress  (June-Aug.). 
Virginia  resolves  (1  Aug.)  to  iin[)ort  no  more  slaves,  nor  British 
goods,  nor  tea;  N.  Carolina  passes  similar  resolutions  (24  Aug.). 

Tlie  Governor  of  Massachusetts  apjioints  counselors  under 
the  new  Act,  but  they  become  objects  of  popular  odium;  a ses- 
sion of  the  superior  Court  is  broken  up,  and  Boston  juries  i*ef use 
to  be  sworn  (Aug.).  Gov.  Gage  removes  the  seat  of  government 
from  Salem  back  to  Boston,  begins  to  fortify  Boston  Neck,  and 
sends  soldiers  to  Charlestown  to  seize  some  powder  belonging  to 
the  Province  (1  Sep.).  A tumultuous  assembly  proceeds  from 
Middlesex  Co.  to  Cambridge,  and  compels  several  counseloi-s  to 
resign.  A Convention  held  at  Milton,  Sull’olk  Co.  (9  Sep.), 
resolves  that  “ no  obedience  is  due  to  either  or  any  part  of  the 
recent  Acts  of  Parliament,  and  exhorts  all  tax-collectors  not  to 
pay  over  money  in  th(;ir  hands  till  a new  government  is  organ- 
ized by  the  ]K50ple  of  the  Province.  A copy  of  the  resolution  is 
sent  to  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia. 

The  first  Continental  Congress,  of  58  delegates  from  12  Pro- 
vinces (Geo  rgiiv  alone  being  unrepresented),  meets  at  Philadel- 


78 


Jlistory  of  the  ITnited  /States. 


1774.  18  chests  of  tea,  Avliidi  the  i)Coj)lc  s(;ize  and  eni]>ty  into  llio 

river. 

A tea-sl)ip  aiTives  at  Cliaileston,  S.  C.  (21  April);  (lie  tea  is 
landed,  l)nt  being  stored  in  damp  cellars  soon  beconu's  worthless. 

Gen.  Gage,  sent  over  as  Governor  of  Idassachusetts,  M’ith  4 
regiments,  arrives  in  lioston  (13  May).  Massachusetts  semds 
Paul  l\evere,  a Boston  ineclianic  and  a “ Son  of  Libertv,”  to 
New  York  and  Philadelphia  to  Invoke  co-operation.  Jhiblie 
meetings  are  held  at  Providence  (17)  and  Newport  (20)  resi)ond- 
ing  to  Boston,  and  suggesting  a Continental  Congress. 

A committee  meeting  in  New  York  laoposes  a “ Congress  of 
deputies  from  the  Colonies”  (23  May),  and  writes  to  Boston 
asking  the  wmmittee  there  to  fix  a time  and  phu'e  of  meeting. 
Similar  meetings  are  held  in  Pliiladelphia  (2Gj,  Aiinaiiolis,  Md. 
(20),  and  Baltimoi’e. 

The  Connecticut  Legislature  condemns  the  late  Acts  of  Par- 
liament, and  recommends  a Continental  Congress  (24  May). 
The  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses  ai)[)oints  1 June  as  a fast-da^'; 
and  PliiladeliJiia  and  otlier  ]jlaces  do  the  same.  Gov.  Dun- 
more  dissolves  the  Virginia  House  (2G  May),  whereupon  most  of 
the  members  meet  (27)  and  declare  that  an  attack  on  one  Col- 
ony is  an  attack  on  all. 

The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  meets  at  Boston  (2GMay) 
to  elect  counselors;  Gov.  Gage  adjourns  it  to  Salem,  where  it 
meets  (7  June),  and  recommends  entire  abstinence  from  Bi  itisli 
goods,  requests  the  Governor  to  appoint  a fast-day,  and  on  his 
refusal  appoints  one  itself,  resolves  that  a Colonial  Congres:-  is 
necessary  in  order  to  consult  on  the  present  state  of  the  country, 
and  suggests  that  it  should  be  held  at  Pliila.  on  the  1 Sep.  Gov. 
Gage,  hearing  of  these  proceedings,  dissolves  the  Court 
(17  June),  amrsoends  tlie  last  provincial  General  Court  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. A public  meeting  in  Boston  (8  June)  adopts  the 
non-importation  and  non-eonsum})tion  agreement,  to  begin  1 
Oct.  Other  to^ms  hold  meetings  in  support  of  Massachusetts. 

Conventions  and  committees  meet  in  the  various  Colonies  and 
appoint  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress  (June-Aug.). 
Virginia  resolves  (1  Aug.)  to  import  no  moriT slaves,  nor  Bi'itish 
goods,  nor  tea;  N.  Carolina  passes  similar  resolutions  (24  Aug.). 

Tlie  Governor  of  Massachusetts  appoints  counselors  under 
the  new  Act,  but  they  become  olqects  of  popular  odium;  a ses- 
sion of  tlie  superior  Couit  is  broken  up,  and  Boston  juries  refuse 
to  be  sworn  (Aug.).  Gov.  Gage  removes  the  seat  of  government 
from  Salem  back  to  Boston,  begins  to  fortify  Boston  Neck,  and 
sends  soldiers  to  Cliarlestown  to  seize  some  powder  belonging  to 
the  Province  (1  Sep.).  A tumultuous  assembly  proceeds  fi'oni 
Middlesex  Co.  to  Cambridge,  and  compels  sevei-al  counselors  to 
resign.  A Convention  held  at  Milton,  SulTolk  Co.  (9  Sep.), 
resolves  that  “ no  obedience  is  due  to  either  or  any  ])art  of  the 
recent  Acts  of  l^nliament,  and  exhorts  all  tax-collectors  not  to 
pay  over  money  in  their  liands  till  a new  government  is  organ- 
ized by  the  jieople  of  the  Province.  A coi)y  of  the  resolution  is 
sent  to  the  Congress  at  Idiiladelidiia. 

J'he  first  Continental  Congress,  of  53  delegates  from  12  Th’O- 
viiic«es  (Georgia  alone  being  inirepresented),  meets  jitlMiilaJel- 


79 


History  of  the  UniUd  States, 

1774.  pliia  (5  Sep.),  and  elects  Pejdon  Randolph,  of  Ya.,  president. 
The  proceedings  are  secret,  nothing  to  he  published  except  by 
order;  each  Province  is  to  have  one  vote.  On  receipt  of  the  Suf- 
folk resolutions.  Congress  resolves  to  support  Massachusetts. 
Congress  adopts  a Declaration  of  Colonial  Rights,”  claiming 
the  rigiit  of  self-government,  and  enumerating  ll  Acts  of  Par- 
liament passed  since  1700  which  derogate  from  the  rights  of  tlie 
Colonies;  it  founds  the  “American  Association”  denouncing 
the  slave-trade,  and  pledging  the  signers  to  non-intercourse  with 
Great  Rritain,  Ireland,  and  the  AVest  Indies,  and  to  non-con- 
sumption;  it  also  adopts  a petition  to  the  King,  a “ Memorial  to 
the  Inhabitants  of  Britisli  America,”  an  “Address  to  the  Peo- 
]»le  of  Great  Britain  ” and  an  “ Address  to  the  Inhabitants  of 
Canada.”  The  signature  of  the  “ American  Association  ” (20 
Oct.)  is  the  beginning  of  the  Union. 

The  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives  resolves  itself 
into  a “Provincial  Congress,”  appoints  a “Committee  of 
Safety,”  with  power  to  call  out  tlie  militia,  and  orders  tax- 
collectors  to  pay  no  more  money  to  the  Government  Treasurer, 
l)ut  to  pay  to  a new  Treasurer  appointed  by  itself  (Oct.);  this 
Congress  vu’tually  becomes  the  Government  de  facto. 

An  Indian  war,  caused  b}^  the  murder  of  9 pei’sons  belong- 
ing to  the  family  of  Chief  Logan,  breaks  out  on  the  frontiers  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia;  the  Indians  are  defeated  (10  Oct.) 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa,  and  the  war  ends. 

The  Connecticut  Assembly  orders  military  preparations  to 
resist  the  British  Government  (Nov.).  The  Massachusetts  Con- 
gress votes  (23  Nov.)  to  enrol  12,000  “ minute  men,”  and  issues 
directions  for  the  election  of  a new  Provincial  Congress. 

Tlie  colonists  of  Rhode  Island  seize  44  pieces  of  ordnance  on 
the  batteries  at  Newport,  and  take  them  to  Providence  (6  Dec.). 

A large  party  enter  the  fort  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  cany 
off  100  barrels  of  powder,  and  some  cannon  and  small  arms  (13 
Dec.). 

The  Maryland  Convention  enrols  the  militia,  and  votes  £10,- 
000  to  purchase  arms  (Dec.). 

1775.  Chatham  pi’oposes  conciliatoiy  measures  towards  the  American 

Colonies,  in  the  House  of  Lords,  7 Jan.,  but  they  are  rejected; 
in  the  Commons,  Lord  North  moves  an  address  to  the  King, 
declaring  the  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts  rebels,  Feb. ; the 
Parliameiff  passes  bills  prohibiting  Americans  fishing  on  the 
banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  restraining  the  conunerce  of  the 
New  England  Colonies,  March. 

A cominittee  of  the  Virginia  Assemblj^  report  a series  of 
resolutions  to  encourage  arts  and  manufactures,  particularly 
that  of  steel,  27  March. 

Gen.  Gage  musters  3000  British  troops  in  Boston  to  suppress 
any  insurrection,  1 A])i-il. 

Tlie  Quakers  of  Idnladelpihia  form  the  first  anti-slavery 
society  in  the  U.  B-,  14  April. 

Gen.  Gage  secretly  despatches  a force  of  800  men  to  seize  the 
stores  and  ammunition  gathered  by  the  patriots  at  Concord,  18 
April;  Dr.  Warren  becomes  informed  of  the  move,  and  Paul 
Revere  is  hastened  to  Concord  to  arouse  the  minute-men;  Pit- 


79 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1*774.  phia  (5  Sep.),  and  elects  Peyton  Kandoli  li,  of  Va.,  president. 
The  i)roceedings  ai*e  seci'ct,  nothing  to  le  piihlislied  except  by 
order;  eacli  Province  is  to  liave  one  vote.  On  receipt  of  the  Suf- 
folk resolutions,  Congress  resolves  to  sup])Oi’t  Massachusetts. 
Congress  adopts  a “ l3eclaration  of  Colonial  ivights,”  claiming 
the  right  of  self-government,  and  enumerating  11  Acts  of  Pai*- 
liarnent  passed  since  1700  which  delegate  from  the  rights  of  the 
Colonies;  it  founds  the  “ American  Assoc iation  ” denouncing 
the  slave-trade,  and  pledging  the  signcn  s to  non-intei’course  with 
Great  Ihitain,  Ireland,  and  the  West  Indies,  and  to  non-con- 
sumption; it  also  aclojds  a petition  to  the  King,  a “ Meinoi  ial  to 
the  Inhabitants  of  Pritish  America,'’  an  “ Addicss  to  the  Peo- 
ple of  (P’cat  Britain”  and  an  “ Addiess  to  the  Inhabitants  of 
Canada.”  The  signature  of  the  ‘‘  American  Association  ” (20 
Oct.)  is  the  beginning  of  the  Union. 

The  Massaciiusetts  House  of  Itepresentatives  resolves  itself 
into  a “Provincial  Congress,”  ap})oints  a “Committee  of 
Safety,”  with  power  to  call  out  tlie  militia,  and  oiders  tax- 
collectors  to  pay  no  more  money  to  the  Government  Treasurer, 
but  to  pay  to  a new  Treasuier  appointed  by  itself  (Oct.);  thi^, 
Congiess  virtually  becomes  the  Government  de  facto. 

An  Indian  war,  caused  by  the  murder  of  9 persons  belong- 
ing to  the  family  of  Chief  Logan,  breaks  out  on  the  frontiers  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia;  the  Indians  are  defeated  (10  Oct.) 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa,  and  the  war  ends. 

The  Connecticut  Assembly  orders  military  preparations  to 
resist  the  Britisli  Government  (Nov.).  Tiie  Massachusetis  Con- 
gress votes  (23  Nov.)  to  enrol  12,000  “ minute  men,”  and  issues 
clirections  for  the  election  of  a new  Provincial  Congress. 

The  colonists  of  Rhode  Island  seize  44  pieces  of  ordnance  on 
the  batteiles  at  Newport,  and  take  them  to  Providence  (G  Dec.). 

A large  party  enter  the  fort  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  carry 
off  100  ban  els  of  powder,  and  some  cannon  and  small  arms  (13 
Dec.). 

The  Maryland  Convention  enrols  the  militia,  and  votes  £10,- 
000  to  purchase  arms  (Dec.). 

1775.  Chatham  pro})Oses  conciliatory  measures  towards  the  American 
Colonies,  in  the  House  of  Lords,  7 Jan.,  but  they  are  rejected; 
in  tlie  Commons,  Lord  North  moves  an  address  to  the  King, 
declaring  the  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts  rebels,  Feb. ; the 
Parliament  f)asses  bills  prohibiting  Americans  tlsliing  on  the 
banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  restraining  the  commerce  of  the 
New'  England  Colonies,  March. 

A committee  of  the  Virginia  Assembly  report  a series  of 
resolutions  to  encourage  arts  and  manufactures,  jiariicularly 
that  of  steel,  27  March. 

Gen.  Gage  musters  3000  British  troops  in  Boston  to  suppress 
any  insurrection,  1 April. 

The  Quakers  of  Philadelphia  form  the  nrst  anti-slaveiy 
society  in  the  U.  S.,  14  April. 

Gen.  Gage  secretly  despatches  a force  of  800  men  to  seize  the 
stores  and  ammunition  gathered  by  the  patriots  at  Concord,  18 
April;  Dr.  Warren  becomes  informed  of  the  move,  and  Paul 
Revere  is  hastened  to  Concord  to  arouse  the  minute-men;  Pit- 


80  History  of  th6  TTnUed  /States, 

1775.  cairn,  witli  the  advanco-^^nard  of  tho  oxi)cdition,  roaches 
Loxino-toii  at  dawn,  10,  and  finds  70  ininuto-inon,  under  Capt. 
Parker,  drawn  up  to  O[)i)oso  liiin;  Pitcairn  calls  the  ])atriots 
redjels  and  oi*ders  tlKiin  to  disperse;  on  their  i*efnsal  lie  com- 
mands his  men  to  fire,  and  the  lii  st  blood  of  the  Pevohition  is 
Si)ilt;  eight  jiatriots  are  killed,  sevei’al  woun<l(Ml,  and  the  rest 
scattered;  after  destroying  the  stores  at  Concord,  the  Jiritish 
liastily  retreat  to  Liixington,  pursued  by  the  ininute-riKm,  wheix) 
Lord  Percy,  with  000  men,  comes  to  their  aid,  and  the  whole 
force  moves  to  Poston. 

Gov.  JOunniore,  of  Va.,  seizes  and  conveys  to  a Pi  itisli  man- 
of- war  a lot  of  gunpowder  belonging  to  tire  Colony,  20  Ainal; 
Patrick  Ihmry,  at  tho  head  of  an  armed  body  of  citizens, 
demands  of  tho  Governor,  and  recovers,  the  iiowder. 

Tho  citizens  of  Kew  York  aptioint  a committee  of  100,  and 
invest  it  with  the  chai  go  of  municipal  affairs,  pending  instruc- 
tions from  the  Colonial  Congress,  5 May. 

A iiu. liber  of  volunteei'S  from  Connecticut  and  Vermont, 
under  Cols.  Ethan  Allen  and  Penedict  Arnold,  sui’jiidse  the 
Pritish  at  the  fortress  of  Ticonderoga  and  ca})ture  it,  10  May; 
Col.  Seth  Warner,  with  a few  men,  captures  the  Crown  i^eini 
fortress,  both  on  Lake  Champlain,  12;  nearly  150  jiieces  of 
cannon  and  much  needed  military  stores  fall  into  patriot  hands 
by  these  successes. 

Idle  second  Continental  Congress  meets  in  Philadelphia,  10 
May;  John  Hancock  is  chosen  President,  24;  the  delegates 
resolve  to  resist  further  tyranny,  vote  to  raise  an  army  of  20,000 
men,  and  elect  George  Washington  Commander-in-Chief  of  all 
the  colonial  forces,  15  June;  the  following  officers  are  appointed 
to  aid  him:  Artemus  Ward,  Charles  Lee,  Philip  Schuyler,  and 
Israel  Putnam,  Major-Generals;  Horatio  Gates,  Adjutant- 
General;  and  Seth  Pomeroy,  iiichard  Montgomery,  David 
Wooster,  William  Heath,  Joseph  Spencer,  John  Thomas,  and 
Nathaniel  Greene,  Brigadier-Generals;  in  the  meantime  (20 
May),  Articles  of  Union  and  Confederation  ar('  agreed  upon  by 
the  delegates  from  the  thirteen  colonies. 

Citizens  of  North  Carolina  in  convention  Charlotte,  Meck- 
lenberg  County,  declare  themselves  independent  of  the  Britisii 
Crown,  organize  a local  government,  and  begin  i)reparation3 
for  a miiitary  defense,  20  May. 

Tlie  British  Generals,  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne,  arrive  at 
Boston  from  England,  with  reinforcements,  25  May;  the  British 
force  now  numbers  nearly  12,000  men,  besides  several  war-ves- 
sels, iin  IvU*  A l.niral  Graves.  Gen.  Gage  issues  a proclamation, 
olferiiig  the  iving’s  pardon  to  all  rebels  (except  John  Hancock 
and  Samiud  Adanis)  who  will  at  once  resume  peaceful  occupa- 
’tions,  10  .luue.  At  the  same  time  lie  plans  a march  to  the 
interior,  the  details  of  which  being  reported  to  Gen.  Ward,  that 
patriot  sen  Is  Col.  Prescotr,  10,  with  1000  men  to  fortify  Bunk- 
er’s Hiil;  Prescott  erects  a rcnloubt  on  Breed’s  Hill,  by  mistake, 
within  cannon-shot  of  Boston;  the  British  attack  the  works, 
17,  fi’om  their  naval  vessels  and  the  Cojip’s  Hill  fort,  while  Gen. 
llowe  leads  a storming  party  of  0000  men;  the  Americans 
resist  two  charges,  but  give  way  before  the  third,  in  which 


80 

1775. 


Jllstory  of  the  United  fitates,  ^ ^ 

cairn,  with  the  advance-piard  of  llie  expedition,  readies 
Lexington  at  dawn,  19,  ana  finds  70  minute-men,  under  Capt. 
Parker,  drawn  up  to  oiipose  liim;  Pitcairn  calls  the  jiatriots 
lebels  and  orders  them  to  disperse;  (»n  their  refusal  he  com- 
mands his  men  to  fire,  and  the  first  blood  of  the  Jtevolution  is 
spilt;  ei^ht  i)atriots  are  killed,  several  wounded,  and  the  rest 
scatterea;  after  destroying  the  stores  at  Concord,  the  J^ritish 
liastily  retreat  to  Lexington,  pursued  by  the  minute-men,  where 
Lord  Percy,  with  900  men,  comes  to  their  aid,  and  the  whole 
force  moves  to  lioston. 

Gov.  Duninore,  of  Va.,  seizes  and  conveys  to  a British  man- ' 
of-war  a lot  of  gunpowder  belonging  to  tlie  Colony,  20  April; 
Patrick  Henry,  at  the  liead  of  an  armed  body  of  citizens, 
demands  of  the  Governor,  and  recovers,  tin*  jiowder. 

The  citizens  of  New  York  ai)j)oint  a committee  of  100,  and 
invest  it  with  the  charge  of  munici])al  alTairs,  pending  instruc- 
tions from  the  Colonial  Congress,  5 May. 

A number  of  volunteeisTroni  Connecticut  and  Vermont, 
Vmder  Cols.  Ethan  Allen  and  Benedict  Arnold,  surj^rise  tlie 
British  at  the  foi  trcss  of  Ticonderoga  iind  caiiture  it,  10  May; 
Col.  Seth  Warner,  with  a few  men,  cajitures  the  Crown  Point 
fortress,  both  on  Lake  Chainidain,  12;  nearly  150  pieces  of 
cannon  and  much  needed  military  stores  fall  into  patriot  hands 
by  these  successes. 

The  second  Continental  Congress  meets  in  Philadelphia,  10 
May;  John  Hancock  is  chosen  President,  24;  the  delegates 
resolve  to  resist  further  tjnanny,  vote  to  raise  an  army  of  20,000 
men,  and  elect  George  Washington  Commander-in-Chief  of  all 
the  colonial  forces,  15  June;  the  following  ollicers  are  appointed 
to  aid  him;  Artemus  Ward,  Cliarles  Lee,  Idiilip  Schuyler,  and 
Israel  i^itnam,  Major-Generals;  Horatio  Gates,  Adjutant- 
General;  and  Seth  Pojiieroy,  Bichard  Montgomery,  David 
Wooster,  William  Heatli,  Joseph  Spencer,  John  Thomas,  and 
Nathaniel  Greene,  Brigadier-Geiiei*als;  in  the  meantime  (20 
IMay),  Articles  of  Union  and  Confederation  are  agreed  upon  by 
the  delegates  from  the  thiiteen  colonies. 

Citizens  of  North  Carolina  in  convention  a5  Cliarlotte,  ]\Ieck- 
lenberg  County,  declare  themselves  independent  of  the  British 
Crown,  organize  a local  g:overninent,  and  begin  i)rep>arations 
for  a military  defense,  20  ^lay. 

Tlie  British  Generals,  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burg03'ne,  arrive  at 
Boston  from  England,  with  reinforcements,  25  May;  the  British 
force  now  numbers  nearly  12,000  men,  besides  several  war-ves- 
sels, under  Admiral  Graves.  Gen.  Gage  i.ssues  a proclamation, 
olTering  the  King’s  pardon  to  all  rebels  (except  John  Hancock 
and  Samuel  Adams)  who  will  at  once  resume  peaceful  occu]>a- 
tioiis,  10  June.  At  the  same  time  he  pdans  a march  to  the 
interior,  the  details  of  which  being  rei)orted  to  Gen.  Ward,  that 
]>atriot  sends  Col.  Prescott,  10,  witli  1000  men  to  fortify  IBink- 
er’s  Hill;  Prescott  erects  a redoubt  on  Breed’s  Hill,  by  mistake, 
wittiin  cannon-shot  of  Ihrston;  the  British  attack  the  works, 
17,  from  tlicir  naval  vessels  and  the  Copp’s  Hill  fort,  while  Gen. 
Howe  leads  a storming  party  of  8000  men;  the  Americans 
resist  two  charges,  but  give  way  before  the  thud,  in  which 


John  C,  Fkkmont 


81 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1W5,  Clinton  joins  Howe  with  fresh  troops,  and  retreat  to  Prospect 
Hill;  the  British  lose  in  killed  and  wounded  over  1000,  and  the 
Americans,  450,  Gen.  Warren  being  amon^^  the  killed. 

Acting  on  instructions  from  the  Provincial  Congress,  Capt. 
Lamb,  with  a party  of  Liberty  Boys,  removes  a number  of  guns 
from  the  Battery,  in  New  York,  in  the  face  of  a heavy  fire  from 
the  British  war-vessel  Asia^  23  Aug. 

Gen.  AVashington  sends  a body  of  New  York  and  New  Eng- 
land troops  under  Gens.  Schuyler  and  Montgomery  into  Canada 
to  cut  off  British  supplies,  Aug.;  Montgomeiy  lays  siege  to  St. 
John  and  is  stubbornly  resisted  for  over  a month  * Col.  Etlian 
Allen,  with  80  men,  attacks  Mo’ntreal,  25  Sept.,  and  is  repulsed 
taken  prisoner,  and  sent  to  England;  another  force,  under  Cob 
Bedell,  capture  the  stronghold  at  Chambly,  80  Oct.,  while  a 
third,  under  Col.  Warner,  repulse  Sir  Guy  Caiieton,  Governor 
of  Canada,  at  Longueil,  near  Montreal,  1 Nov.;  Gen.  Prescott, 
Commander  at  St.  John,  alarmed  at  the  Governor's  defeat,  sur- 
renders his  post  to  Montgomery,  3 Nov.;  th-e  Americans  press 
toward  Montreal,  and  under  Montgomery  enter  the  city,  13, 
Governor  Carleton  escaping  on  a vessel  to  Quebec*  at  this  time 
750  men  under  Arnold  ascend  to  the  Plains  of  Abraham  and 
demand  the  sui-render  of  Quebec*  fearing  a sortie,  Arnold  falls 
back  and  is  joined,  1 Dec.  by  Montgomery;  they  attempt  to 
carry^the  city  by  assault,  31,  but  are  defeated;  Montgomei*y  is 
killed,  Arnold  wounded,  and  the  Americans  under  Morgan  sur- 
render; the  American  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  is  150,  and 
the  British,  20. 

Peyton  Kandolph,  of  Va.,  first  President  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  dies  22  Oct. 

Lord  Dunmore,  with  a British  fleet,  is  repulsed  at  Hampton, 
Va.,  24  Oct.,  and  declares  open  war;  the  local  militia  take  the 
field,  and  he  is  again  defeated,  9 Dec.,  at  the  Great  Bridge, 
near  Norfolk;  five  daj^s  later  the  Virginians,  under  Col.  Wood- 
ford, talve  ])Ossession  of  Norfolk;  Col.  Robert  Howe  arrives 
with  North  Carolina  militia  and  assumes  chief  command,  15. 

Daniel  Boone  settles  in  Kentucky,  at  Boonesbury. 

The  Continental  Congress  passes  an  Act  ordering  the  build- 
ing of  thirteen  vessels,  three  of  24  guns,  five  of  28,  and  five  of 
82,  and  appoints  Ezekiel  Hopkins  Commander-in-Chief. 

A postal  route  is  established  and  Benjamin  Eranklin  k 
appointed  the  first  Postmaster-General. 

The  first  issue  of  Continental  money  is  made  this  year. 

1776.  Washington  unfurls  the  first  Union  flag,  1 Jan. 

Lord  Dunmore  sets  fire  to  Norfolk,  Va.,  and  bombards  the 
place  while  the  fire  rages,  1 Jan. 

Thomas  Paine  writes,  8 Jan.:  “ LuC  a Continental  Conference 
be  held,  to  form  a Continental  Charter,  drawing  the  line  of 
business  and  jurisdiction  between  Members  of  Congress  and 
Members  of  the  Assembly,  always  remembering  that  our 
strength  and  happiness  are  continental,  not  provincial." 

Paine  publishes  “Common  Sense"  at  Phiia.  (Jan.) ; 100,000 
copies  of  it  are  sold. 

Gen.  Charles  Lee  is  sent  (Jan.)  with  1200  troops  to  NewYork; 
he  enters  the  citv  the  same  day  that  Gen.  Sh*  Henry  Clinton 


82  History  of  the  United  States. 

177G.  arrives  at  Sandy  Hook  with  a lleet  (March) ; Clinton  sails 
sontliward,  and  Leo,  bein^  succeed(3d  by  Gen.  Putnam,  7 
Marcli,  liastens  to  thwart  Clinton’s  designs  in  the  Carolinas ; 
Washington  reaches  New  York,  14  April,  and  fortifies  the  town 
and  its  approaches. 

The  North  Carolina  militia,  under  Col.  Caswell,  defeat  1500 
loyalists  on  Moore’s  Creek,  27  Feb. 

Congress  appoints  an  embassy,  consisting  of  Ikiiijainin  Frank- 
lin, Silas  Deane,  and  Arthur  Lee  ( March b to  proc(;(;d  to  Fi-ance 
to  solicit  foreign  sympathy  and  aid;  and  establishf3s  a regular 
embassy  at  that  Court,  22  Sop. 

Washington  proposes  an  assault  on  the  Hritish  at  Boston,  1 
March;  he  opens  a heavy  cannonade  from  all  the  American 
batteries,  2;  Dorchester  Heights  are  occupied  by  an  intrench- 
ing force,  4,  and  a line  of  fortifications  commanding  the  city 
and  harbor  is  hastily  constructed;  a heavy  storm i)revents  Gen. 
Howe  attacking  the  Americans  with  his  lleet,  and  he  is  foreed 
to  evacuate  the  town  with  over  7000  troops,  17;  Washington 
immediately  enters  the  city,  garrisons  it,  an:l  sends  the  main 
body  of  his  army  to  New  York. 

Constitutions  are  adopted  by  South  Carolina,  20  March;  Nevv 
Jersey,  2 July;  Virginia,  5 July;  Mary  lam  I,  14  Aug.;  Dela- 
ware, 20  Sep.;  Pennsylvania,  28  Sop.;  and  North  Carolina,  18 
Dec. 

A large  British  fleet,  under  Admiral  Sir  Peter  Parker,  aiTives 
off  Charleston,  S.  C.,  4 June;  Clinton,  who  hurried  from  New 
York  on  the  approach  of  Lee,  makes  a landing  tlie  same  day 
on  Long  Island,  near  Sullivan’s  Island,  S.  C.,  and  Lee,  also  by 
forced  marches,  reaches  Charleston  tlie  same  day  ; the  citizens 
had  erected  a palmetto- wood  fort  on  Sullivan’s  Island,  which  was 
mounted  with  26  guns  and  manned  by  500  troops  under  Col. 
Moultrie;  the  British  make  an  attack  by  land  and  water  on  the 
fort,  28  June;  Clinton  is  prevented  landing,  and  the  fort 
delivers  such  a telling  Are  upon  the  fleet  tliat  after  a ten  houi's’ 
struggle,  the  vessels  withdraw;  the  royal  Governor  of  South 
Carolina  is  fatally,  and  Admiral  Parker  seriously,  wounded;  the 
British  lose  in  killed  and  wounded  225,  and  the  Americans,  2 
killed  and  22  wounded;  during  the  fight,  young  Sergeant 
Jasper  distinguishes  himself  by  replacing  the  flag,  which  had 
been  shot  away,  on  a new  staff  upon  the  bastion;  the  British 
leave  for  New  York,  31. 

liichard  Henry  Lee  introduces  a resolution  into  the  Congress, 
7 June,  declaring  that  “ the  United  Colonies  are,  and  ought  to 
be,  free  and  indeirendent  States;  that  they  are  absolved  from  all 
allegiance  to  the  Ib-itish  Crown;  and  that  then*  political  connec- 
tion with  Great  Britain  is  and  ought  to  be  totally  dissolved.  ” 
Seven  of  the  thirteen  Colonies  vote  in  favor  of  the  resolution; 
a committee  is  appointed  to  draw  up  a declaration  in  harmony 
with  the  resolution,  consisting  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  Va.;  John 
Adams,  Mass,;  Benjamin  Franklin,  Penn.;  Roger  Sherman, 
Conn.;  and  Robert  R.  Livingston,  N.  Y.,  11;  Jefferson  is  chosen 
chairman  and  assigned  to  prepare  the  declaration;  the  Lee 
resolution  is  taken  up  for  consideration,  1 July,  and  the  declara- 
tion is  submitted  the  same  day;  the  resolution  is  adopted  by  a 


Ilistory  of  the  United  States.  83 

1776.  large  majority,  2,  and  the  Declaration  of  Inaepcndcnce  receives 
a unanimous  support,  4. 

Gen.  Howe  arrives  at  Sandy  H'^ok  from  Halifax,  25  June, 
and  takes  possession  of  Staten  Island,  2 July;  he  is  joined  by 
his  brotlier.  Admiral  Lord  Howe,  12,  and  by  tlie  forces  of  Clin- 
ton from  the  south,  and  musters  a disciplined  army  cd’  24,000 
men.  Washington  collects  20,000  raw  militia  in  Nevv  York; 
he  orders  the  Declaration  of  Independence  to  be  iv  ad  to  the 
army,  10  July,  after  whicli  the  ];opula(e  oveitlirow  tlie  Statue 
of  George  HI.  in  the  Bowling  Green  and  drag  it  through  the 
streets.  Washington  fortificis  the  water  front,  places  Gen. 
Greene  in  command  on  Long  Island,  and  Cen.  Put!)ain  at 
Brooklyn.  Howe  lands  10,000  men  and  forty  pieces  of 
cannon  on  Long  Island,  22  August,  and  moves  in  three 
divisions,  the  left  under  Grant  towards  (iovvanus,  the  right 
under  Clinton  and  Cornwallis  towai’d  the  interior,  and  the 
centre  under  De  Heister  up  the  Flat  bush  road  ; a conllict 
takes  place,  27,  at  Fhubush;  Sullivan  is  smrounded,  over- 
powered, and  forced  to  surrendo  ; Stirling  is  made  ] risoner  at 
Gowanus;  and  by  noon  the  British  achit  ve  a signal  victory; 
the  Amei-icans  lose  500  in  killed  and  woum]cd,a]Hl  1100  piison- 
ers.  Washington  crosses  over,  28,  and  directs  an  uniiei-ceived 
retreat  to  New  York;  at  a council  of  war,  12  Sen.,  It  is  deter.. 
mined  to  retreat  to  and  fo] tify  Hai-lem  Heights;  the  Biltish 
cross  from  Long  Island  and  occupy  New  Yoik,  15;  they  are 
defeated  by  the  "Americans  on  Harh‘m  FlaiciS,  IG;  Ihuve  sends 
vessels  up  the  Hudson,  20,  and  m(wcs  his  army  of  85,000  men 
into  Westchester  County;  the  two  armies  encage  at  White 
Plains,  28  Oct.,  and  the  Ajnericans  are  driven  fioin  their  posi- 
tion; Washington  ci'osscs  the  Iludsoji,  12  Nov.,  to  Fort  Lee; 
the  British  capture  Fort  Washington,  10,  losing  1000  men  and 
taking  over  2,000  })idsoneis;  the.  Americans  abandon  Fort  Lee, 
18,  which  Cornwallis  occu[)ics  with  6,000  men;  he  successively 
gains  Newairk,  New  Brunswick,  Princeton,  and  Trenton; 
the  retreating  Americans  cross  the  Delaware  at  Trenton  just 
as  the  British  reach  the  town,  8 Dec.;  Washington  rcc  i uits'his 
army,  and  with  2400  men  he  re-crosses  theDehnvare  at  l^IcKon- 
key’s  Ferry,  above  Trenton,  25  Dec.,  and  surpe/ses  the  Hessian 
troops  in  that  town,  26,  taking  over  1000  ])risoners,  besides  a 
largeamount  of  ammunition,  guns,  and  stores;  he  again  crosses 
the  river  the  same  night;  but  retuiais,  80. 

The  Algerines  take  94  prisoners  from  American  ships,  12 
July. 

A great  lire  breaks  out  near  Whitehall  Slip,  New  Y^ork,  21 
Sep.,  and  destroys  a quarter  of  the  city,  including  Trinity 
Church.  ^ 

Washington  engages  Capt.  Nathan  Hale  to  make  secret  obser- 
vations in  the  British  camps  on  Long  Island;  he  is  captured 
and  executed  as  a spy,  22  Sep. 

The  first  Society  of  Shakers  in  the  U.  S.  settles  at  Watervliet, 
N.  Y.,  Sep. 

Sir  Peter  Parker  enters  Narragansett  Bay,  takes  possession  of 
Rhode  Island,  and  blockades  the  American  fleet  at  Providence, 
8 DeCo 


84  History  of  the  United  States. 

i7T6.  Congress  adjourtis  from  Philadelpliia  to  Baltimore,  12  Dec. 

Rev.  John  Carroll,  Charles  Carroll,  Benjamin  Franklin,  and 
Samuel  Chase  are  sent  by  Congress  on  a political  mission  to 
Canada. 

Pennsylvania  is  purchased  from  the  Penn  family  by  the  com- 
monvvealth.  Paine  i)ublishe3  at  Philadelphia  the  lirst  number 
of  “ The  Crisis  (19  Doc.). 

All  tiie  leaders  of  the  Alcthodist  Societies  rctui  ii  to  Englaml, 
except  Francis  Asbury,  wlio  Ls  protected  by  Judge  Wliite,  of 
Delaware. 

liampden-Sidney  College,  Prince  Edward  Co.,Va.,  is  founded. 

1777.  Washington  is  Joined  at  d’renton  by  the  troops  of  Gens.  Cadwal- 
ader  and  Miltiin,  1 Jan.;  Cornwallis  a])pears  in  force  from 
Princeton,  2,  and  slight  skin nishing  occurs;  Washington  begins 
intrenching,  the  enemy  defers  an  attack  until  the  following  day; 
at  night,  Washington  silently  witlidraws  from  Trenton,  and  at 
dawn,  3,  he  comes  up  to  Cornwallis’s  reserve  at  Princeton;  the 
Ameidcans  attack,  the  British  charge,  Washington  leads  a dis- 
ciplined cor[)S  to  the  held,  and  achieves  a Si)leMdid  victory; 
Cornwallis,  surprised  at  the  deserted  Trenton  camp  and  hearing 
the  firing  at  Princeton,  hastens  to  aidliis  reseiwe  and  protect  his 
stores  at  New  Brunswick;  Washington  goes  into  winter-quarters 
with  his  fatigued  troops  at  Morristown.  N.  J.;  American  skii- 
misiiing  parties  take  possession  of  Newark,  Elizabethtown,  and 
Wood  bridge,  drive  the  Hessians  in  confusion  to  IStateu  Island, 
and  harass  tlie  enemy  throughout  the  spring, 

Georgia  ado])ts  a constitution,  5 Feb. 

Letters  of  Marque  and  Reijrisal  are  granted  by  England 
against  American  ships,  0 Feb. 

Gov.  Tryon,  of  N.Y.,  with  2000  British  and  Tories,  invades 
Connecticut,  destroys  a large  quantity  of  American  stores  at 
Danbury,  and  burns  the  town,  26  April;  on  the  folio vving  day 
he  has  an  engagement  with  the  militia  near  Ridgefield,  and  is 
driven  to  the  coast,  embarking  under  a heavy  lire:  Tryon  loses 
about  300  men  and  the  Americans  150,  including  (Jen.  Wooster, 
kUled. 

Col.  Mei^s,  with  a force  of  170  men,  crosses  the  Sound  from 
Guilford,  Conn.,  in  whaleboats,  22  May,  attacks  the  British 
provision  station  at  Sag  Harbor,  burns  a number  of  vessels  and 
the  storehouses  with  their  contents,  takes  90  prisoners,  and 
escapes  without  losing  a man. 

Button  Gwinnett,  of  Ga.,  a siorner  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies,  27  May, 

Gen.  Howe,  passing  from  winter-quarters  in  New  York,  con- 
centrates nearly  his  entire  army  at  New  Brunswick,  12  June; 
he  makes  several  attempts  to  entice  Washington  to  battle,  and 
nearly  succ(3eds,  26,  but  suddenly  evacuates  New  Jersey  and 
places  his  entire  army  on  Staten  Island,  30. 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  are  adopted  by  Congress  as  the  patriot 
fla^,  14June. 

G(3n.  Burgoyne,  with  over  10,000  troops,  begins  the  Invest- 
ment of  Ticonderoga,  where  Gen.  St.  Clair  has  a garrison  of 
8000  men,  2 July;  the  British  erect  works  and  jdant  guns  on 
the  summit  of  Mi  Deliance,  5,  and  that  night  the  Americans, 


* 


'3 


UWARY  . M 

OFTHE  45 

UN!VFKP’'^Y  r • 11  ■ 

■ -•  •- 

.'..v; 

'•'"'Si  '' 


85 


History  of  the  United  States. 

> 

1777.  unable  to  cope  uith  tlie  enemy,  undertake  a secret  retreat,  but 
their  baggage,  stores,  and  provisions  are  overtaken  and  des- 
troyed at  8keenesborough,  Avlnle  the  rear  division  of  tlie  army 
is  routed  at  llubbardtowii  after  an  obstinate  action,  7;  tlie 
remnants  of  the  army  readies  Fort  Edward,  Gen.  Schuylei-’s 
lieadcpiarters,  12;  having  only  4000  men  to  oppose  Bui*goyne's 
force,  Gen.  Sclmyler  evacuates  the  fort,  29,  and  Avitli  Thaddeus 
Kosciuszko,  a Polisli  refugee,  as  engineer,  retreats  down  the 
Hudson  valley  to  the  mouth  of  the  ^Mohawk,  where  he  estab- 
lishes  a fortified  camp;  Burgoyne  reaches  Fort  Edward,  30,  and 
sends  a force  to  capture  the  provisions  stored  at  Bennington, 
Vt.,  by  the  Americans;  Col.  Stark,  at  the  head  of  the  AeM^ 
Hampshire  militia,  defeats  this  force,  while  Col.  Warner  defeats 
a strong  reinforcement  the  same  day,  16  Aug.,  the  enemy 
losing  700,  mainly  prisoners,  in  the  two  engagements. 

Col.  William  Barton,  with  40  militiamen , crosses  Narragansett 
Baj’  in  whaleboats,  and  silently  penetrates  to  the  quarters  of 
Gen.  Prescott,  the  Britisli  commander  in  Rhode  Island,  10 
July;  the  General  is, seized  in  bed,  and  conveyed  through  his 
own  troojis  and  fleet  across  the  bay  to  Warwick. 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette  comes  to  the  aid  of  the  Americans 
in  a vessel  fitted  out  at  his  own  expense,  July;  he  volunteers 
Ills  seiTices  to  the  Congress,  by  whom  he  is  voted  a commission 
of  Major-General,  31;  he  is  introduced  to  Washington,  3 Aug., 
and  is  at  once  attached  to  the  personal  staff. 

Admiral  Howe,  leaving  Gen.  Clinton  in  command  at  New 
York,  embarks  with  18,000  men,  23  JuB^and  sails  for  the  Dela- 
ware capes;  Washington  pushes  forward  to  Philadelphia  with 
the  main  body  of  his  troo])s;  Howe,  instead  of  going  up  the 
Delaware,  ascends  Chesapeake  Bay,  disembarks  at  Elkton,  Md., 
25  Aug.,  and  marches  toward  Philadelphia;  the  British  move 
in  two  columns  against  the  American  iDosition,  11  Sep.,  the 
Hessians  attacking  at  Chad’s  Ford,  while  the  bulk  of  the  army 
crosses  the  forks  of  Brandywine  Creek  above,  forcing  the 
American  right,  under  Sullivan,  to  give  waj  ; the  contest  lasts 
the  entire  day  and  results  in  the  enemy’s  success;  the  Americans 
retreat  to  Chester  at  night  and  to  Philadelphia  the  next  day; 
the  American  loss  is  about  1200  killed, wounded,  and  prisoners, 
and  the  British  total  about  800;  Count  Pulaski,  a Polish  volun- 
teer, so  distinguishes  himself  in  the  action,  that  Congress  votes 
him  a commission  of  Brigadier-General  and  gives  him  command 
of  the  cavalry;  Washington  re-crosses  the  Schuylkill  and 
advances  against  Howe,  near  Goshen,  16,  but  a storm  prevents 
a battle;  four  days  later,  Gen.  Wayne  is  surprised  by  a Biitish 
and  Hessian  force,  under  Gen.  Grey,  at  Paoli,  and  loses  300 
men;  Washington  abandons  Philadelphia  to  save  his  military 
stores  at  Reading;  Congress  dees  at  the  approach  of  the  British, 
who  occupy  the  city,  26,  and  reassembles  at  Lancaster,  27,  and 
York,  30;  llowe  encamps  at  Germantown  and  iwepares  to  make 
Philadelphia  his  winter  quarters.  ^ 

i'ort  Stanwix,  commanded  by  Col.  Gansevooi  t,  is  invested,  8 
Aug.,  by  CoL  St.  Leger  witli  a mixed  party^of  Moliawk  Indians, 
tinder  Brant,  and  Tories;  Gen.  Herkimer,  while  rallying  the 
iniliti^  to  Gansevoort's  aid,  falls  into  an  Indian  ambuscade  ai 


1777, 


History  of  the  United  States.  85 

unable  to  cope  with  the  enemy,  undertake  a secret  retreat,  but 
their  baggage,  stores,  and  provisions  are  overtaken  and  des- 
troyed at  Skeenesborougii,  while  the  rear  division  of  tlie  army 
is  routed  at  Huhhardtown  after  an  obstinate  action,  7,  the 
remnants  of  the  army  reaches  Fort  Edward,  Gen.  Schuyler’s 
headquarters,  12;  having  only  4000  men  to  oppose  Bnrgoyne^s 
force,  GeiU'  Scliujder  evacuates  the  fort,  29,  and  with  d'haddeus 
Kosciuszko,  a Polish  refugee,  as  engineer,  reti  eats  down  the 
Hudson  valley  to  the  mouth  of  the  Mohawk,  where  he  estab- 
lishes a fortitied  camp,  Hurgoyne  reai  lies  Fort  Edward,  80,  anc’ 
sends  a force  to  caj  lure  tlie  |.rovisious  stored  at  Bennington, 
Vt.,  by  the  Americans;  Col.  Staik,  at  the  head  of  the  ^"ow 
Hampshire  militia,  defeats  this  foixe,  v\  bile  C(  1.  Warner  defeats 
a strong  reinforcement  llie  same  day,  IG  Aug.,  the  enemy 
losing  700,  mainly  i)risoners,  in  the  two  engai  emenis. 

Cot.  William  Barton,  with 40  militiamen,  crosses  Narragansett 
Bay  in  whaleboats,  and  silently  iienetrates  to  ibe  quarters  of 
Gen.  Prescott,  the  British  commander  in  Pliode  Island,  1(1 
July;  the  General  is  seized  in  bed,  and  convened  tlirough  his 
own  troops  and  lleet  across  the  bay  to  Wai  wick. 

The  Marquis  de  Pjafayette  comes  to  the  aid  of  the  Americans 
in  a vessel  fitted  out  at  his  own  expense,  Jul}',  he  v(>lunteers 
his  services  to  the  Congress,  by  v/hom  he  is  voted  a commission 
of  Major-General,  31;  iie  is  introduced  to  Washiniton,  3 Aug., 
and  is  at  once  attached  to  the  personal  stall. 

Admiral  Howe,  leaving  Gen.  Clinton  in  e(  nimaiai  at  New 
York,  embarks  with  18,000 men,  23  July,  and  sai'sfoi-  the  Dela- 
ware capes;  Washington  pushes  forward  to  Philadeliihia  witli 
the  main  body  of  his  troops;  Howe,  instead  of  going  iqi  the 
Delaware,  ascends  Chesapeake  Bay,  disembarks  at  Eibton,  Md, 
25  Aug.,  and  marches  toward  Philadelphia;  the  Britisn  move 
in  two  columns  against  the  American  position,  11  8ep.,  the 
Hessians  attacking"" at  Chatrs  Ford,  while  the  bulk  of  the  army 
crosses  the  forks  of  Brandywine  Creek  above,  forcing  the 
American  right,  under  Sullivan,  to  give  way,  *the  contest  lasts 
the  entire  day  and  results  in  the  enemy’s  success;  the  Americans 
retreat  to  Cliester  at  night  and  to  Philadelphia  the  next  day; 
the  American  loss  is  about  1200  killed, wounded,  and  prisoners, 
and  the  British  total  about  800;  Count  Pulaski,  a Polish  volun- 
teer, so  distinguishes  himself  in  the  action,  that  Congress  votes 
him  a com  mission  of  Brigadier-General  and  gives  him  command 
of  the  cavalry;  Washington  re-crosses  the  Schuylkill  and 
advances  against  Howe,  near  Goshen,  16,  but  a storm  prevents 
a battle;  four  days  later,  Gen.  Wayne  is  surprised  by  a British 
and  Hessian  force,  under  Gen.  Grey,  at  Paoli,  and  losc's  300 
men;  Washington  abandons  Philaclelphia  to  save  his  military 
stores  at  Beading;  Congress  ilees  at  the  approach  of  the  British, 
who  occupy  the  city,  26,  and  reassembles  at  Lancaster,  27,  and 
York,  30;  Plowe  encamps  at  Germantown  and  prepares  to  make 
Philadelphia  his  winter  quarters. 

Fort  Stanwix,  commanded  by  Col.  Gansevoort,  is  invested,  3 
Aug.,  by  Col.  St.  Legei*  with  a mixed  pai  t}'  of  Mohawk  Indians, 
imder  Brant,  and  7'oriesi  Gen.  Herkimer,  while  rallying  tiia 
tailida  to  Gausevocut’s  aid.  faJis  mco  a'c  Lydian  ambuscade 


8(>  Hmory  of  the  United  Stcuen 

1777.  Orlskany.  6,  where  his  party  iS  defeated  and  himself  mortally 
woiiii  led;  the  same  day,  a portion  of  the  pirrison,  nndcr  Coi. 
Willet,  make  a successful  sortie;  St.  Leger  raises  the  siege  at 
tlie  approacli  of  Arnold  and  llce,s,  23. 

Distressed  for  want  of  food,  Jhirgoyne  crosses  the  Hudson. 
Id,  1 { 8jp.,  and  encamps  on  tlio  lieightsand  idainsof  Saratoga; 
the  A.nerieans,  under  Gen.  Gates,  have  a lvanc(ul  to  Stillwater, 
seeing  wiiidi,  Hurgoyne  determines  on  an  attack  and  nK>v(?s  to 
A^ithiii  two  miles  of  Gates,  18:  a severe  action  occurs  on  Ikenis’s 
Heights,  19,  terminating  indecisively  at  dark;  Hurgoyim, 
ahirmed  at  receiving  no  reinforcements  from  Gim.  Oiinton, 
boldly  risks  a scco.nd  battle,  7 Oct., alin<;&t  on  (iTe  same  ground, 
and  is  compelled  to  fall  back  upon  Saratoga;  the  Am<‘ricans 
cut  olf  Ills  reti-eat,  and  force  the  surrender  of  iiis  wlio.e  aiany, 
17;  a large  train  of  brass  artillery,  5000  muskids,  an  immense 
amount  of  i lunitions  of  war,  and  6000  rf  the  flower  of  the 
Britisli  army  as  pi'isoners  reward  and  cliecr  the  Aivierieans, 
besides  giving  them  a prestige  sadly  needed  at  the  time. 

Gen.  Ciinlon,  hasteising  to  the  ivdef  of  Biirgoyne,  with  3000 
me'i,  as^aulrs  and  captui*es  Forts  Clinton  amf  Montgomery,  6 
Get.,  and  burns  the  village  of  Kingston,  13;  learning  of  the 
surrender,  he  inmiediately  retreats  to  New  York;  Tieonderoga 
and  all  the  forts  on  the  northern  frontier  are  abandonod  to  the 
A:n  ‘ricans. 

Forts  Alitllin  and  Mercer,  on  opposite  sides  of  the  Delaware, 
below  Philadelphia,  are  attacked,  22  Oct.;  Fort  Mercer  is 
attacked  by  2000  Hessians,  under  Count  Donop,  and  the  small 
garrison,  under  Lieut. -Col. -Greene,  of  K.  1.,  re[)alse  the  cliargo 
at  a heavy  loss;  tho  attack  on  Fort  Milllin  is  at  lirst  unsuccess- 
ful, but  after  resisting  several  charges  the  garrison  abandon  it 
and  retire  to  F)]-t  Mvecer,  which  is  also  abandoned,  18  Nov.;  a 
portion  of  the  British  tleet  sail  unmolested  up  to  Philadelphia, 
20. 

The  report  of  the  committee  appointed  by  Congress  to  draw 
up  a pi  a 1 of  confederation  is  adopted,  15  Nov. 

Gen.  iiowe  retires  to  winter-quaiters  at  Philadelphia,  8 Dec., 
and  Gen.  Washington  to  Valley  Foi'ge,  11. 

1778.  During  tills  winter,  the  waters  of  New  York  Bay  are  frozen  so 

tiiick  that  the  British  take  heavy  cannon  from  Staten  Islaitd 
to  the  city  on  the  ice. 

Philip  Livingston,  of  N.  Y.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies,  12  Jan. 

France  acknowledges  the  independence  of  the  American 
Colonics,  and  the  King  signs  a treaty  of  alliance  and  commerce 
with  the  American  Embassy,  6 Feb.;  the  alliance  clause  is 
regarded  as  a declaration  of  war  by  France  against  Great 
Britain,  and  the  two  nations  begin  to  prepare  for  hostilities. 

Loi-d  North,  the  British  Prime  Minister,  introduces  two  bills 
into  Parliament,  17  Feb.,  by  which  Britain  virtually  concedes 
all  tlijit  has  been  tlio  cause  of  controversy  with  the  Americans, 
and  oilers  more  than  they  had  asked  previous  to  their Indei)en- 
Cx)\u‘i'.  l)(X‘la!*ation;  the  bills  arc  passed  after  much  opposition, 
niid  lb(*  King  si<gns  tliem.  1 1 Mareli.  riic  Earl  of  Carlisle,  George 
**ohnst.oiie,  and  WiUium  iLlen  are  appoiunal  Commissioners. 


Sd  History  of  the  XTnitcd  SldiCS. 

1777*  Oriskan}’.  6,  where  liis  party  ik  defeated  and  liirnpelf  mortally 
wounded;  the  same  day,  a portion  of  the  garrison,  under  Col. 
Willet,  make  a successful  sortie;  8t.  Leger  raises  tlie  siege  at 
the  approacli  of  Arnold  and  flees,  22. 

Distressed  for  want  of  food,  Burgoyne  crosses  the  Hudson, 
13,  14  Sep.,  and  encamps  on  the  lieightsand  jdainsof  Saratoga; 
the  Americans,  under  Gen.  Gates,  have  advanced  to  Stillwater, 
seeing  whiclp  Burgoyne  determines  on  an  attack  and  moves  to 
within  two  miles  of  Gates,  18;  a severe  action  occurs  on  Bc.mis’s 
Heights^  19,  terminating  indecisively  at  dark;  Burgoyne, 
alarmed  at  rec-eiving  no  reinforcements  from  Gen.  Clinton, 
boldly  risks  a second  battle,  7 Oct.,  almost  on  the  same  ground, 
and  is  comi:>eIled  to  fall  back  upon  Saratoga;  the  Americans 
cut  off  his  retreat,  and  force  the  surrender  of  his  whole  army, 
17;  a large  train  of  brass  artillery,  5000  muskets,  an  immense 
amount  of  munitions  of  war,  and  GOOO  of  the  tlower  of  the 
British  army  as  prisoners  reward  and  clieer  the  Americans, 
besides  giving  them  a prestige  sadly  needed  at  the  time. 

/ Gen.  Clinton,  hastening  to  the  relief  of  Burgoyne,  with  3000 
men,  assaults  and  captures  Forts  ' Clinton  and  Montgomery,  6 
Oct.,  and  bums  the  village  of  Kingston,  13;  learning  of  the 
sun'ender,  he  immediately  retreats  to  New  Yoik;  Ticonderoga 
and  all  the  forts  on  the  northern  frontier  are  abandoned  to  the 
Americans. 

Foils  Mifflin  and  Mercer,  on  opposite  sides  of  the  Delaware, 
below  Philadelphia,  are  attacked,  22  Oct.;  Fort  Mercer  is 
attacked  by  2c>>0  Hessians,  under  Count  Donop,  and  the  small 
garrison,  under  Lieut.-Col.-Greene,  of  K.  I.,  repulse  the  charge 
at  a heavy  loss;  the  attack  on  Fort  Mifflin  is  at  first  unsuccess- 
ful, but  afeer  resisting  several  charges  the  garrison  abandon  it 
and  retire  to  Fort  Mercer,  which  is  also  abandoned,  18  Nov.;  a 
portion  of  the  British  fleet  sail  unmolested  up  to  Philadelphia, 
‘20. 

The  repoil  of  the  committee  appointed  by  Congress  to  draw 
up  a plan  of  confederation  is  adopted,  15  Nov. 

Gen.  Howe  retires  to  winter-quarters  at  Philadelphia,  8 Dec., 
and  Gen.  AVashlngton  to  Valley  Forge,  11. 

1778.  During  this  winter,  the  waters  of  New  York  Bay  are  frozen  so 
thick  that  the  British  take  heav}"  cannon  from  Staten  Island/ 
to  the  city  on  ilie  ice. 

Philip  Livingston,  of  N.  Y.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Indei>endenee,  dies,  12  Jan. 

France  acknowledges  the  independence  of  the  American 
Colonies,  and  t'ne  King  signs  a treaty  of  alliance  and  commerce 
with  the  American  Embassy,  C Feb.;  the  alliance  clause  is 
regarded  as  a declaration  of  war  by  PYance  against  Great 
Bntain,  and  the  two  nations  begin  to  prepare  for  liostilities. 

Ixjrd  North,  liie  British  Prime  Minister,  introduces  two  bills 
into  Parliament,  17  PYb.,  by  which  Britain  virtually  concedes 
all  that  has  been  the  cause  of  controversy  with  the  Americans, 
and  offers  more  tlian  they  had  asked  previous  to  their  Indepen- 
dence Declanuiun;  the  bills  are  passcid  after  mucli  opposition, 
mid  the  King  algns  them,  11  Marcli.  Tiic  Earl  of  Carlisle,  George 
Johnstone,  mid  Willutm  Eden  are  aqqH>lnted  Commissioners^ 


87 


nistory  of  tfie  Uiiited  States. 

1778.  ^^ith  Prof.  Adam  Ferguson,  as  secretar}^  to  proceed  to  America 
and  negotiate  a peace  with  Congress;  a copy  of  the  bills 
reaches  Congress,  15  April,  and  the  Commissioners  arrive,  4 
June;  Congress  promptly  rejects  the  bills,  and  refuses  any 
negotiation  until  Great  Britain  withdi'aws  her  fleets  and  armies, 
and  in  clear  terms  acknowledges  the  independence  of  the  Col- 
onies. 

The  British  Ministry  is  officially  informed,  17  March,  of  the 
French  treaty  witli  the  Americans,  and  immediately  orders  the 
evacuation  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Delaware,  and  the  concen- 
tration of  troops  and  fleets  at  New  York. 

The  French  Government  orders,  18  April,  a squadron  of  12 
ships  of  the  line  and  four  large  frigates,  under  Count  D’Esta- 
ing,  to  blockade  the  British  fleet  in  the  Delaware;  the  fleet 
arrives,  8 July,  but  Admiral  Howe,  who  had  received  the  min- 
isterial orders,  had  left  a few  days  previously  and  anchored  his 
fleet  at  Amboy. 

Gen.  Howe  is  succeeded  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  as  General-in- 
Chief  of  the  British  forces,  in  the  latter  part  of  May-  Clinton 
withdraws  the  entire  army  from  Philadelphia,  18  June,  and 
stai-ts  for  New  York;  Washington  is  anxious  to  attack  him 
while  in  New  Jersey;  his  council  of  officers  ovemile  his  opin- 
ion, but  when  the  Britisli  reach  Monmouth,  he  orders  Gen.  Lee 
to  attack  their  rear;  Lafayette’s  cavalry  advance,  28,  but  Corn- 
wallis and  Clinton  charge  them  to  a retreat;  Lee  loses  his  head 
and  orders  a retreat,  and  while  the  Americans  are  fleeing, 
Washington  comes  up  and  severely  orders  Lee  to  rally  his  troops; 
shortly  afterwai-ds  the  battle  becomes  general  and  rages  until 
dark;  during  the  nigiit,  the  British  silently  retreat,  leaving  800 
killed  on  the  field;  the  Americans  lose  about  70;  on  the  follow- 
ing day  Lee  is  arrested,  tried  by  Court-martial  for  disobedience, 
misbehavior,  and  disrespect  to  Washington,  found  guilty,  and 
s\ispended  from  command;  Washington  goes  into  camp  at 
Middlebrook,  on  the  Karitan. 

Col.  John  Butler  and  the  Indian  chief,  Brant,  v,ith  a force  of 
some  1,000  Tories  and  Indians,  enter  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
Penn.,  2 July,  and  spread  terror  through  the  flourishing  settle- 
ments; Col.  Zebulon  Butler,  with  a force  of  400  soldiers, 
marches  up  the  valley  to  check  the  invaders,  4,  but  is  attacked 
and  overpowered,  losing  nearly  his  whole  force;  nearly  the 
entire  garrison  at  the  Wyoming  fort  are  killed  during  a siege, 
and  the  survivors,  with  women  and  children,  are  shut  up  in  tlic 
bai  racks  and  burned  to  death;  the  invaders  then  ravage  all  the 
settlements  with  lire,  sword,  and  the  tomahawk. 

Major  George  Kogers  Clarke  leads  an  expedition  «gainst  the 
British  and  their  Indian  allies  in  the  wilderness  of  theiar  north- 
west; he  captures  Kaskaskia,  4 July,  the  village  of  Cahokia,  9, 
and  the  strong  British  post  of  Vincennes,  on  the  Wabash,  Aug. 

The  French  fleet  appears  off  Sandy  Hook,  11  July,  but  being 
unable  to  i^ass  the  bar  to  attack  the  British  fleet  at  New  York, 
it  goes  to  Newport,  R.  I.,  to  dislodge  the  Biitish  there;  Admiral 
Howe,  reinforced  by  ships  from  England,  hastens  to  the  relief 
of  Gen.  Pigot;  an  American  expedition  under  Gens.  Sullivan, 
Greene,  and  Lafayette,  crosses  the  bay  and  lands  on  the  northern 


History  of  tfm  United  States  tfT 

ITO.  with  Prof,  Adam  Ferguson,  as  secretar^^  to  proceed  to  America 
and  negotiate  a peace  with  Congress;  a copy  of  the  bills 
reaches  Congress,  15  April,  and  the  Commissioners  arrive,  4 
June;  Congress  promptly  rejects  the  bills,  and  refuses  any 
negotiation  until  Great  Britain  withdraws  her  fleets  and  armies, 
and  in  clear  terms  acknowledges  the  independence  of  the  Col- 
onies. 

The  British  Ministry  is  officially  informed,  17  March,  of  the 
French  treaty  with  the  Americans,  and  immediately  orders  the 
evacuation  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Delaware,  and  the  concen- 
tration of  troops  and  fleets  at  New  York. 

The  French  Government  orders,  18  April,  a squadron  of  12 
ships  of  the  line  and  four  large  frigates,  under  Count  D’Esta- 
ing,  to  blockade  the  British  fleet  in  the  Delaware;  the  fleet 
arrives,  8 July,  but  Admiral  Howe,  who  had  received  the  min- 
isterial orders,  had  left  a few  days  previously  and  anchored  his 
fleet  at  Amboy. 

Gen.  Howe  is  succeeded  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  as  General-in- 
Chief  of  the  British  forces,  in  the  latter  part  of  May;  Clinton 
withdraws  the  entire  army  from  Philadelphia,  18  June,  and 
starts  for  New  York;  Washington  is  anxious  to  attack  him 
while  in  New  Jersey;  his  council  of  officers  overrule  his  opin- 
ion, but  when  the  British  reach  Monmouth,  he  oixlers  Gen.  Lee 
to  attack  their  rear;  Lafajxtte’s  cavalry  advance,  28,  but  Corn- 
wallis and  Clinton  charge  them  to  a retreat;  Lee  loses  his  head 
and  orders  a retreat,  and  while  the  Americans  are  fleeing, 
Washington  comes  up  and  severely  orders  Lee  to  rally  his  troops; 
shortly  afterwards  the  battle  becomes  general  and  rages  until 
dark;  during  the  night,  the  British  silently  retreat,  leaving  800 
killed  on  the  fleld;  the  Americans  lose  about  70;  on  the  follow- 
ing day  Lee  is  arrested,  tried  by  Court-martial  for  disobedience, 
misbehavior,  and  disrespect  to  Washington,  found  guilty,  and 
suspended  from  command;  Washington  goes  into  camp  at 
Middlebrook,  on  the  Bari  tan. 

Col.  John  Butler,  with  a force  of  some  one  thousand  six 
hundred  Tories  and  Indians,  enters  the  Wyoming  Valley, 
Penn.,  2 July,  and  spread  terror  through  the  flourishing  settle- 
ments; Col.  Zebulon  Butler,  with  a force  of  400  soldiefs, 
marches  up  the  valley  to  check  the  invaders,  4,  but  is  attacked 
and  overpowered,  losing  nearly  his  whole  force;  nearly  the 
entire  garrison  at  the  Wyoming  fort  are  killed  during  a siege, 
and  the  survivors,  with  women  and  children,  are  shut  up  in  the 
barracks  and  burned  to  death;  the  invaders  then  ravage  all  the 
settlements  with  fire,  sword,  and  the  tomahawk. 

Major  George  Kogers  Clarke  leads  an  expedition  rtgainst  the 
British  and  their  Indian  allies  in  the  wilderness  of  thefar  nortn- 
west;  he  captures  Kaskaskia,  4 July,  the  village  of  Cahokia,  9, 
and  the  strong  British  post  of  Vincennes,  on  the  Wabash,  Aug. 

The  French  fieet  appears  off  Sandy  Hook,  11  July,  but  being 
unable  to  pass  the  bar  to  attack  the  British  fleet  at  New  York, 
it  goes  to  Newport,  R.  I.,  to  dislodge  the  British  there;  Admiral 
Howe,  reinforced  by  ships  from  England,  hastens  to  the  relief 
of  Gen.  Pigot;  an  American  expedition  under  Gens.  Sullivan, 
Greene,  and  Lafayette^  crosses  the  bay  and  lands  on  the  northern 


88  History  of  the  United  ^taie^ 

1778.  part  of  Rhode  Island,  9 Aug.;  on  the  following  day,  a projected 
land  and  sea  movement  against  the  Ih  itisli  is  fi  ustrapMl  by  a 
peat  storm,  which  parts  and  seriously  damages  the  tlcf^ts;  the 
Ih'itish  ll(3et  returns  to  NewYork,  the  French  goiis  to  Boston,  and 
Gen.  Sullivan  is  forced  to  withdraw,  having  on  h;s  way  a sne- 
cessful  encounter  with  Pigot’s  ti’oops  at  (Quaker  Hill,  29. 

New  York  is  visited  by  its  second  gi-(‘at  lii-<3,  9 Aug.;  it  begins 
in  Pearl,  near  Broad  8ti*eet,  and  rag(;s  with  fury  sevaa'al  horn's, 
eonsuniing  800  buildings  ; it  is  limdly  exlinguisli(;d  by  the  mili- 
tary, as  all  the  fire  com  pan  i('s  have  )a;en  disha,nd(‘d;  onth(‘  same 
day,  the  British  powder-ship  MfriiUuj  Star  is  struck  by  light- 
ning and  blown  up,  the  explosion  damaging  many  buildings 
along  the  shore. 

Clinton  sends  Gen.  Grey  on  an  expedition  upon  the  southerr 
shores  of  Massachusetts  and  among  the  adjoining  islands;  ( trey 
arrives  in  Jhizzard’s  Bay,  a I’cndezvous  of  Ain(‘rlcan  privateers, 
5 Sep.,  and  burns  70  vessels,  th(3n  dcsti'oys  $828,000  worth  of 
property  in  New  Bedford  and  Fair  Haven,  and  descending  on 
Martha’s  Vineyard,  7,  seizes  800  oxen  and  10,000  sheej),  which 
he  takes  to  New  York;  Capt.  Ferguson  sails,  80  Sep.  for  Little 
Egg  Harbor,  N.  J.,  where  he  captures  a large  amount  of 
Anierican  stores.  i 

The  French  lleet  sails  to  attack  the  British  ])Ossessions  in  the 
West  Indies,  8 Nov.,  and  on  the  same  day,  Admiral  llotham 
(British)  sails  from  Sandy  Hook  to  intercept  it;  Admiral  Byron, 
who  has  succeeded  Admiral  Howe,  sails  for  the  same  destina- 
tion early  in  Dec. 

A party  of  Tories  under  Walter  N.  Butler,  son  of  Col.  John 
Butler,  and  of  Indians  under  Brant,  suddenly  descend  upon 
the  settlement  of  Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.,  11,  12  Nov.,  and  kill 
or  carry  into  captivity  many  of  the  inhabitants,  but  fail  to 
capture  the  fort. 

Gen.  Clinton  sends  Col.  Campbell  with  a force  of  2000  men 
against  Georgia,  27  Nov.;  the  troops  land  near  Savannah,  29 
Dec.,  defeat  the  small  American  force  under  Gen.  Robert 
Howe,  and  take  possession  of  the  city. 

1779.  The  lirst  society  of  Universalists  in  the  U.  S.  is  organized  at 

Gloucester,  Mass.,  1 Jan.  " i 

The  Americans  being  sorely  embarrassed  by  lack  of  funds 
and  the  extensive  counterfeiting  of  continental  money,  Con- 
gress resolves,  2 Jan.,  to  call  upon  the  United  States  to  pay  in 
tiieir  respective  quotas  of  $15,000,000  for  the  year,  and  of 
$0,000,000  annually  for  eighteen  years  from  tlio  i>resent  year, 
as  a sinking  fund;  only  $4,000,000  have  been  obtained  by  loan 
from  Europe;  and  at  least  $100,000,000  of  contiiien^al  money, 
besides  huge  local  issues  by  the  States,  arc  alloat. 

Gen.  Frevost,  with  a body  of  troops  fi*om  East  I’lorida,  cap- 
tures tlie  Amei‘ican  fort  at  Sunbury,  the  only  remaining  mili- 
tary post  in  Georgia,  9 Jan.,  and  uniting  with  Col.  Campbell’s 
for(‘(;,  sends  an  expedition  against  Fort  Royal,  S.  C , which  is 
def(;ated,  8 Feb.,  by  a foi’ce  under  Gen.  Moultrie,  with  severe 
loss;  while  the  Jlriti.sh  ai'e  advancing  to  Augusta,  Col.  Boyd 
organiz(‘s  a body  of  Tories  and  commits  devastations  on  the  way 
to  tlio  royal  army;  at  Kettle  Creek  he  encounters,  14,  .Col. 


History  of  the  United  istazS.  89 

i7?9«  Pickens  with  some  Carolina  militia,  and  is  totally  defeated, 
Boyd  being  killed : a number  of  his  men  are  hung  as  traitors. 

An  expedition  from  the  British  fort  at  Detroit  captures  Vin- 
cennes from  the  Americans,  Jan.  Major  Clarke,  who  had  taken 
the  place  the  previous  year,  makes  his  way  through  the 
drowned  lands  of  Illinois,  with  175  men,  and  comes  witliin 
sight  of  Vincennes,  18  Feb.;  with  their  faces  blackened  with 
gunpowder  the  men  suddenly  enter  tlie  plaee  and  capture  the 
entire  garrison,  20. 

Gein  Futnam  makes  a i-emaikable  escape  from  the  enemy 
under  Gov.  'Fiyoii,  at  Horse  Neck,  Conn.,  l)y  driving  liis  horse 
down  the  preeipiee  at  !he  ehur(*ii,  and  ( sia;  ing  all  the  bullets 
fired  at  him  by  the  astonished  British  (Feb.). 

Gen.  Ikmjaniin  Liiieohi,  the  new  eojninander  of  the  southern 
depaitment,  advances  to  the  west' bank  of  the  iSavannali  and 
sends  nearly  2000  men,  under  Gen.  Ashe,  acaoss  the  river;  at 
Briar  Creek,  Aslie  is  smprisod  by  I'levcst,  8 March,  and  loses 
neai-ly  his  entire  aiany;  by  rapid  recruit  ing,  Lincoln  gathers 
a force  of  over  5000  men  by  the  middle  of  A})ril,  and  leaving 
Moultrie  to  watch  Prevost,  lie  begins,  23,  a inaich  up  the  liver 
to  enter  Georgia  rm  Augusta;  Prevost  maic  lies  upon  Charleston 
and  demands  its  surrender,  12  ^lay,  1 nt  the  apt  rcach  of  Lin- 
coln frigliteiis  him  away;  tiie  Amerii  ans  attack  a Biitish  divi- 
sion strongly  iiosted  at  IStone  Feriy,  20  June,  but  aftei-  a severe 
action  are  repulsed;  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  now  retire 
to  Savannah. 

While  these  o]:>erations  are  in  progress  in  the  south,  the  cam- 
paign is  being  vigorously  conducted  in  the  north;  Sir  George 
Collier  and  Gen.  Mathews,  witli  a small  tleet,  enter  Hampton 
Koads,  9 May,  ravage  both  sides  of  the  Elizabeth  Kiver,  destroy 
a large  amount  of  property  at  Koifolk  and  Portsmoulli,  and 
then  hasten  up  the  Hudson,  where  they  co-operate  with  Gen. 
Clinton  in  capturing  the  fortress  at  Stony  Point,  31,  and  the 
fort  at  Verplanck’s  Point,  opposite,  1 June;  Colliei*,  with  2500 
men  under  Gov.  Tryon,  sails,  4 July,  for  t lie  Connecticut  coast; 
New  Haven  is  plundered,  5,  East  Haven  burned,  6,  Fairtield 
burned,  8,  and  Norwalk  plundered  and  burned,  12. 

Spain  makes  a secret  treaty  wiiii  Fiance,  April,  and  declares 
war  against  Great  Britain,  June;  a great  Spanish  and' French 
naval  force  attempts  to  effect  an  invasion  of  England,  Aug., 
but  a violent  gale  drives  the  shij^s  into  the  open  sea;  an  allied 
fleet  lays  siege  to  Gibraltar  during  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

Patrick  Henry,  of  Va.,  die  s,  6 Jur.e,  aged  63. 

A naval  expedition  is  fitted  out  at  L’Orient  by  the  American 
and  French  Governments,  consisting  of  five  vessels,  ail  under 
the  command  of  John  Paul  Jones;  it  makes  its  llrst  search 
after  British  merchantmen,  June,  and  starting  on  the  second, 
falls  ill  with  two  English  frigates,  t lie  ISrKfpls  m\i\  (Jountess  of 
convoying  a fleet  of  na  i diantmen,  off  Flambor- 
ough  Head,  east  coast  of  England,  23  Sep.;  caily  in  the  even- 
ing, Jimes,  in  his  flagship,  the  Bov  Ho7n<iie  40  guns, 

engages  the  iS^rapis,  44  guns,  commanded  by  Caj  tain  Pearson; 
the  fiigatiis  ai'e  lashed  together  and  a furious  battle  urges  for 
two  hours;  both  vessels  take  fli’e  ‘"ud  the  Bichard  is  about  shflv 


iJO  History  oj  the  Ohitect 

1779.  ing,  when  tlio  Aiu(3ri(*au  frigate  Alliance  coinos  uj)  and  deliveri 

a broadside  into  the  liicliatd  l)y  mistake;  a few  moiiieiits  later 
filie  attacks  the  iSerapi^^  whicli  soon  snrreiKh^rs*  out  of  .‘>75  men 
on  tlie  with  Jones,  300  are  killed  or  wonnd(‘d;  Jones 

takes  possession  of  the  S'^rapis^  and  after  anothei  severe  engage- 
ment cai)tiires  the  ougli,  while  tlie  Richard  sinks;  both 

prizes,  valued  at  $200,000,  are  taken  to  Holland. 

Gen,  Wayne  achic'ves  one  of  the  most  brilliant  victories  o1 
the  war  in  the  njcaptuie  of  Stony  Point,  15  July,  by  a series 
bayonet  charges  and  hand-to-ha!id  figlits,  following  a thorough 
suri)rise  of  the  enemy;  the  Pritish  lose  in  killed,  woumh^d,  and 
prisoners  upwaixls  of  000  men,  Ix^sides  a large  amount  of  mili- 
tary stores,  wlille  the  total  Amei-ica!i  loss  is  about  100. 

Massachns  ‘tts  fits  out  a llotilla  of  37  v(3ssels  for  an  expedition 
against  the  Pritisli  i)Ost  on  the  Penobscot  River;  it  arrives  25 
July,  and,  after  a delay  of  tifteen  days,  the  Americans  are 
about  to  assault,  when  a British  lleet  suddenly  appears,  13  Aug. 
and  completely  destroys  the  tlotilla. 

George  Ross,  of  Penn.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of  liide- 
X)endence,  dies,  July. 

Major  Lee  surpiiscs  the  Biitish  garrison  at  Paulus  Hook, 
opposite  New  Yoik,  19  Aug.,  kills  30  and  takes  100  prison- 
ers, for  which  daring  act  Congress  votes  him  its  thanks  and  a 
gold  medal. 

A strong  force  under  Gen.  Sullivan  (3000  men)  marches  up 
the  Susquehanna  from  Wyoming,  and  is  joined  at  Tioga  Point, 
22  Aug.,  by  Gen.  James  Clinton  with  1000  men;  the  troops 
attack  a large  body  of  Indians  and  Tories,  fortified  at  Elmira, 
29,  and  defeat  them  beyond  resistance;  Sullivan  then  goes 
through  the  Indian  country,  burns  forty  of  their  villages,  and 
destroys  150,000  bushels  of  corn. 

The  French  fleet  returning  from  the  West  Indies,  D’Estaing 
is  ordered  to  the  coast  of  Georgia  to  co-operate  with  Gen.  Lin- 
coin  in  an  assault  on  Savannali;  he  reaches  the  coast,  9 Sep. 
and  a united  siege. is  laid  to  the  ciW;  an  assault  is  made,  9 Oct. 
and  the  Americans  are  repulsed,  with  a loss  of  nearly  1000  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Count  Pulaski  receiving  a mortal  shot; 
Count  D’Estaing  withdraws  his  fleet,  and  Gen.  Lincoln  retreats 
into  South  Carolina,  18. 

Fearing  an  attack  from  the  French  fleet.  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
orders  a retreat  of  the  forces  in  Rhode  Island  to  New  York^ 
and  it  is  made  in  such  haste,  25  Oct.,  that  the  British  leave  aP 
their  heavy  aitillery  and  a large  quantity  of  stores  behinc 
them. 

Joseph  Hewes,  of  N.  C.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence,  dies,  10  Nov. 

The  Bi-itish  I^aidiament  votes  for  the  service  of  1780,  the  sum 
of  $100,000,000,  85,000  seamen,  and  35,000  troops,  in  advlitioa 
to  those  already  in  America. 

1780.  This  is  a year  of  almost  uninterrupted  disaster  to  tho  patriot 

cause;  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  leaving  Gen.  Knyphausen  in  com- 
mand at  New  York,  arrives  on  the  coast  of  Georgia  lato  in  Jan. 
witli  the  bulk  of  his  army,  convoyed  by  Admiral  Arbuthnot; 
l.e  leaves  Savannah,  10  Fel).„  takes  possession  of  the  island® 


History  of  the  United  Statm.  W 

i780,  south  of  Charleston,  11,  crosses  the  Ashley  Kiver,  29  March, 
and  begins  erecting  batteries  near  tlie  Anieriian  woiks,  1 
April;  Arbuthnot  ])asses  P'ort  Moultrie  witli  liis  lleet,  9 A]  lil, 
and  anchors  in  Charleston  Harbor;  Clinton  sends  a detaclinient 
of  1400  men  under  Webster,  Taileton,  and  Ferguson  against 
Gen.  Huger,  at  Monk's  Corner,  14,  Avlien  the  Amei  icjins  are 
surprised  and  jait  to  fliglit;  Tarleton  sur]n  ises  a | ati  iot  corps 
on  the  Santee,  6 May,  Foit  Moultiie  is  surrendered  {lie  same 
day,  and  Gen.  Lincoln,  completely  environed  bj^  the  enemy 
and  with  no  jn-ospect  of  relief  for  his  little  band,  is  compelled 
to  surrender  Cluirleston,  with  himself  and  liis  command  jiris- 
oners,  12.  With  a view  to  recovering  the  rest  of  the  province, 
Clinton  dispatches  three  expeditions — one  seizes  the  post  of 
Ninety-Six,  another  sc  ours  the  Savannah  country,  and  the  third, 
under  Cornwallis,  crosses  the  Santee  and  occupies  Georgetown; 
elated  at  the  ensuing  apparent  tranciuillity,  Clinton  places  Corn- 
wallis in  command,  and  leaves  for  New  York,  5 June,  with  the 
greater  part  of  his  troops. 

The  Bank  of  Pennsylvania,  the  first  in  the  U.  S.,  is  chartered 
1 INIarch,  and  located  in  Philadelphia. 

The  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  passes  an  Act  for  the  gradual 
abolition  of  slavery,  1 March. 

The  town  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  is  founded. 

Congi-ess  sends  Gen.  Gates  to  succeed  Baron  de  Kalb,  who, 
by  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lincoln,  had  become  Commancler-in- 
Chief  in  the  South. 

Gen.  Knyphausen,  with  5000  men,  crosses  from  Staten  Island 
into  Noav  Jersey,  7 June,  occupies  Elizabethtown,  burns  Con- 
necticut Farms,  and  approaches  Springfield,  but  withdraws  on 
the  advance  of  troops  from  Morristown  ; Clinton,  on  his  an  ival 
at  New  York,  joins  this  force  with  additional  troops,  22 
June,  sends  Washington  on  a feint  towards  the  Highlands, 
and  strikes  Greene  at  Springfield,  23,  with  5000  infantry,  a 
large  cavalry  force,  and  20  guns;  Greene  defeats  Clinton,  who, 
after  firing  the  village,  retreats  to  the  island. 

Benjamin  liandall,  having  been  converted  by  the  ])reaching 
of  George  Wliitefield,  is  ordained,  and  organizes  at  New  Dur- 
ham, N.  H.,  the  first  Freewill  Baptist  Church  in  America,  80 
June. 

A powerful  French  fieet  under  Admiral  Ternay,  with  0000 
soldiers  under  the  Count  de  Rocliambeau,  arrives  at  New]  oit, 
R.  I.,  10  July;  to  prevent  a conflict  of  authoritj’,  the  Iving  cf 
France,  at  the  personal  solicitation  of  Lafayette,  aj^])oints 
Washington  a Lieutenant-General  of  France,  by  which  he 
outranks  the  Count  and  becomes  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
united  forces. 

In  South  Carolina,  Col.  Sumter  attacks  a British  force  at 
Rocky  Mount,  30  July,  and  is  repulsed:  rallying  his  forces  he 
surprises  and  defeats  a large  body  oi  British  regulars  and 
Tories  at  Hanging  Rock,  6 Aug.  Gen.  Gates  approaching  with 
reinforcements  for  the  south.  Lord  Rawdon  masses  the  Britisli 
at  Camden  and  sends  for  Cornwallis,  at  Charleston;  Gates 
advances  fi*om  Clermont,  14,  to  surprise  the  British,  while 
Ck)rnwallis  and  Rawdon  leave  Camden  to  surprise  the  Ameri- 


Hutory  of  tha  tmted  ^tatOK 

1780.  caiis^  the  armies  meet  near  Zanders'  Creek,  and  .'i  general 
engagement  is  opened,  IG;  the  Americans  are  eliai'ged  willithc 
bayonet  and  byTarleton’s  cavalry,  and  being  ontnnmbercd  and 
surrounded*  are  completely  routed,  with  a loss  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners  of  1000,  besides  all  llieii- uj  tillery  ami 
ammunition,  the  British  loss  is  350  j liaroji  de  Kah)  is  among 
the  wounded,  mortally.  Two  days  later,  Sumter's  corps  is  sur- 
prised by  Tarleton,  at  Fishing  Creek,  and  routed  with  lieavy 
loss. 

A Convention  of  the  New  England  States  is  held  in  lF)ston, 
Aug.,  wliich  declares  for  a more  solid  and  pei-maiumt  union 
under  one  supreme  head,  and  “ a Congress  competent  f<n-  (he 
government  of  all  those  common  and  national  alTaii-s  which  do 
not  nor  cannot  come  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  separate 
States.’' 

Benedict  Arnold,  one  of  the  bravest  and  mo.st  skilfull  of  tiie 
patriot  generals,  whose  services  had  been  rewarded  by  Congi-ess 
with  the  command  of  Philadelphia  after  the  evacuation,  siiiart- 
ing  under  a reprimand  administered  by  Washington  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  seiiteiico  of  a court-martial,  determines  upon  a 
course  of  the  blackest  infamy;  appointed  comma vdcr  of  the 
important  fortress  of  West  Point,  on  the  Hudson,  Aug.,  lie 
negotiates  a surrender  of  the  post  with  Clinton  through  llajoi* 
Andre,  tlie  British  Adjutant-General,  his  price  beiiig  £10,000 
and  a commission  as  Brigadier  in  the  British  army;  Andre  sails 
up  the  river  in  the  Vulture^  confers  witii  Arnold  near  Haver- 
straw,  23  Sep.,  and,  attempting  to  return  to  the  vessel,  limls  ii 
has  been  driven  down  the  river  by  artillerists  at  Teller’s  Point; 
he  crosses  the  river  in  disguise,  and  while  making  his  way  to 
New  York  by  land,  is  seized  at  Tarrytown,  23,  by  John 
Paulding,  David  Williams,  and  Isaac  Van  Wart,  who  find  in 
his  boots  the  criminating  papers;  he  is  tried  by  court-martial, 
declared  a spy  on  his  own  confession,  and  hanged  at  Tappan, 
2 Oct.;  Arnold  effects  his  escape;  Congress  votes  each  of 
Andre’s  captors  its  thanks,  a silver  medal,  and  a pension  of 
$200  a year  for  life. 

Under  orders  from  Cornwallis,  Col.  Ferguson  invade®  North 
Carolina,  Sep.;  he  crosses  Broad  Kiver,  1 Oct.,  and  encamps  on 
King’s  Mountain  with  1500  men;  the  Americans  suadenly 
attack  him,  7,  and  after  an  obstinate  defence,  he  is  killed.  800 
of  his  men  are  killed  or  wounded,  and  the  remainder  are 
taken  prisoners,  together  with  1500  stand  of  arms,  at  an  Ameri- 
can loss  of  20.  Gen.  Sumter,  having  retaken  the  field  with  a 
body  of  volunteers,  defeats  the  British  under  Major  Wemys  at 
Broad  Biver,  12  Nov.,  and  on  being  attacked  by  the  notorious 
Tarleton,  at  Blackstocks,  20,  compels  him  to  retreat  after  a 
heavy  loss  of  cavalry  men.  Tlu’ougliout  the  winter,  Gen, Marion, 
with  his  irregular  brigade,  leads  and  directs  a great  many  har- 
assing expeditions  against  the  British  from  his  encampment  on 
the  Pedee. 

Gen.  Greene  is  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  armies  In 
the  soutli,  8U[)erseding  Gen.  Gates,  30  Oct. 

Great  Britain  declares  war  against  Holland,  20  Dec.,  on  dl&^ 


92  JJistory  of  the  United  tiiates.  ^ 

1780.  cans;  the  armies  meet  near  Sanders’  Creek,  and  a ji^eneral 
engagement  is  oix  ned,  10;  the  Americans  are  cliargcd  witlithe 
})ayoiiet  and  hyTarleton’s  cavalry,  aad  being  ontnumhered  and 
surrounded,  are  comijletoly  routed,  witli  a loss  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners  of  1000,  besides  all  tlieir  artillery  and 
ammunition;  the  British  loss  is  350;  Baron  de  Kalb  is  among 
the  wounded,  mortally.  Two  days  later,  Sumter’s  corj)S  is  sur- 
])rised  by  Tarleton,  a*t  Fishing  Creek,  and  routed  with  heavy 
loss. 

A Convention  of  the  New  England  States  is  held  in  Boston, 
Aug.,  Avhich  declares  for  a more  solid  and  i>ennanent  union 
under  one  supreme  head,  and  “ a Congress  coini)etent  for  the 
government  of  all  those  common  and  national  alTairs  which  do 
not  nor  cannot  come  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  scj)arate 
States.” 

Benedict  Arnold,  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  skilfnll  of  the 
])atriot  generals,  whose  services  had  been  rewarded  by  Congress 
with  the  command  of  Philadelphia  after  the  evacuation,  smart- 
ing under  a reprimand  administered  by  Washington  in  ohedi- 
enee  to  tlie  sentene-e  of  a court-martial,  determines  upon  a 
course  of  the  blackest  infamy;  appointed  commander  of  the 
important  fortress  of  West  Point,  on  the  Hudson,  Aug.,  he 
negotiates  a surrender  of  the  post  with  Clinton  tlirough  Major 
Andre,  the  British  Adjutant-General,  his  price  being  £10,000 
and  a commission  as  Brigadier  in  the  British  army;  Aiidre  Bails 
uj)  the  river  in  the  confers  witli  Arnold  near  Haver- 

straw,  22  Sep.,  and,  attempting  to  return  to  tlie  vessel,  finds  it 
lias  been  driven  the  river  by  artillerists  at  Teller’s  Point; 
he  crosses  the  river  in  disguise,  and  while  making  liis  way  to 
New  York  by  land,  is  seized  at  Tarrytowii,  23,  by  John 
Paulding,  David  Williams,  and  Isaac  Van  Waid,  who  find  in 
his  boots  the  criminaring  iiapers;  lie  is  tried  hy  court-martial, 
declared  a spy  on  hi'  own  confession,  and  lianged  at  Tappan, 
2 Oct.;  Arnold  eSeers  his  escape;  Congress  votes  each  of 
Andre’s  captors  its  thanks,  a silver  medal,  and  a pension  of 
^'200  a year  for  life. 

Under  orders  from  Cornwallis,  Col.  Ferguson  invades  Nortli 
Carolina,  Sep.;  lie  crosses  Broad  Kiver,  1 Oct.,  and  encamps  on 
King’s  Mountain  vrith  1500  men;  the  Americans  suddenly 
attack  him,  7,  and  after  an  obstinate  defence,  he  is  killed,  300 
of  his  men  are  killed  or  wounded,  and  the  remainder  are 
taken  prisoners,  toge:h-r  with  1500  stand  of  arms,  at  an  Ameri- 
can loss  of  20.  Gen.  .Sumter,  having  retaken  the  field  witli  a 
body  of  volunteers,  defeats  the  Britisli  under  Major  Weniys  at 
Broad  Kiver,  12  Nov.,  and  on  being  attacked  by  tlie  notorious 
"J’arleton,  at  Blackspxks,  20,  compels  him  to  retreat  after  a 
heavy  loss  of  cavaliy  men.  Tlirouglioiit  the  winter,  Gen.Mai  ion, 
with  his  irregular  brigade,  leads  and  directs  a great  many  har- 
assing expeditions  against  the  British  from  Ids  encainimieiit  on 
tin*  Pedee.  " ^ 

G^mi.  Greene  is  apj minted  to  the  command  of  the  armies  in 
the  south,  superseding  Gen.  Gates,  30  Oct. 

Great  Britain  dechirrs  war  against  Holland,  20  Dec.,  on  dis- 


History  of  the  United  States.  93 

i 

1780.  covering  that  a commercial  treaty  is  being  negotiated  between 
that  country  and  the  U.  8. 

Henry  Laurens,  ex-President  of  Congress  and  newly-ap- 
])ointed  Minister  from  the  U.  S.  to  Holland,  is  seized,  while  on 
liis  way  to  his  post,  by  an  English  frigate,  taken  to  London, 
and  incarcei’ated  in  the  Tower. 

1781.  All  the  Pennsylvania  troops,  1300,  break  camp  at  Morristown, 

in  a mutin}^  1 Jan.,  and  start  for  Philadelphia  to  demand  of 
Congress  their  arrearages  of  pay;  at  Princeton  they  are  met  by 
agents  of  Gen.  Clinton,  who  seek  to  entice  them  either  to  enter 
the  British  service  or  to  permanently  abandon  the  Americans; 
the  troops  seize  the  agents  and  deliver  them  to  their  com- 
mander, Gen.  Wayne,  "as  spies;  Congress  apj)oints  a commis- 
sion which  accedes  to  the  demands  of  the  troops,  and  a large 
part  of  the  I^ennsylvania  line  is  disbanded. 

Iknedict  Arnold,  as  a British  Brigadier,  leads  an  expedition 
of  IGOO  British  and  Tories  into  Virginia;  he  destroys  a large 
amount  of  public  and  private  stores  in  Pdchmond,  5 Jan.,  and 
makes  his  headquarters  at  Portsmouth,  after  fortifying  it,  20. 
Washington  sends  Lafayette,  with  1200  men,  to  capture  him, 
and  theVrench  ilcet  sails  from  Phode  Island  to  assist,  8 March; 
Clinton,  learning  of  the  inovement,  hastens  Adinnal  Arbuth- 
not  from  New  York;  he  attacks  the  French  Jdeet,  16,  forcing  it 
to  return  to  Khode  Island;  Gen  Philips  joins  Arnold  with  2000 
men,  26,  and  takes  chief  command. 

Just  as  Coi'invallis  is  prepaiing  for  a second  march  in  North 
Carolina,  Gen.  Greene  sends  Gen.  Morgan  to  the  veest  of  South 
Carolina,  when  Cornwallis  directs  Jarleton  to  disperse  the 
command;  Morgan  at  fu  st  reti  eats  before  the  superior  force  of 
'I'arleton,  but  at  the  CowjK'ns,  17  Jan.,  the  Americans  rally, 
and  in  a general  charge  utterly  rout  tlie  British,  killing  and 
wounding  300,  taking  500  j)risonei's,  and  securing  100  cavalry 
liorses  and  a large  baggage  ti'ain,  at  a loss  of  72  killed  and 
wounded;  Congress  votes  INlorgan  a gold  medal  for  his  victoiy. 

A ])ortionof  the  New  Jeisey  troops  break  camp  at  Pompton, 
in  mutiny,  18  Jan.;  Washington  sends  500  men  under  Gen. 
Bobeit  Howe  to  quell  the  mutiny;  on  his  arilval  he  hangs  two 
of  the  leaders,  27,  ujxm  which  tlie  others  submit. 

Bobert  Mon  is  is  i)laced  in  chaige  of  the  public  Treasury  by 
Congress,  and,  through  his  rare  executive  ability  in  collecting 
the  newly  im]>osed  taxes,  and  his  patilotism  in  giving  Congi'ess 
the  use  of  his  private  fortune  and  his  personal  credit,  he 
enables  the  armies  to  undertake  more  cheerful  and  vigorous 
cairq)aign-. 

After  J'arJeton’s  defeat,  Cornwallis  destiws  his  heavy  bag- 
gage, and  begins  a forced  march  towards  the  Catawba,  whither 
alorgan  is  also  speeding;  ^lorgan  reaches  the  river  fii*st,  closely 
pursued  by  Cornwallis,  and  crosses  in  safety;  Coinwallis,  two 
hours  later,  lialts  on  the  ba]ik,  designing  to  cross  in  the  morn- 
ing, but  a lieavy  rain  comes  up  during  the  night,  rendering  the 
river  iin])assable  for  two  days;  this"  gives  the  Americans  an 
advantage;  Greene  joins  ^Morgan,  31  Jan.,  and  continues  the 
retreat;  the  Americans  reach  riie  Yadkin  first  and  cross;  the 
British,  close  upon  their  heels,  halt  as  at  the  Catawba^  a similar 


V'ntteid  s)3 

itSO.  ccveroig  that  a commercial  treaty  is  hetiig  negotiated  hetv^xen 
that  country  and  the  U,  S. 

Henry  Laurens,  ex.pres5derd  of  Congress  and  newly-ap- 
pointed Minister  from  the  U.  ^5.  to  Hoi  land,  is  seized,  while  on 
his  way  to  his  post,  by  an  English  frigate,  taken  to  Lonuoii, 
and  incarcerated  in  the  Towe^, 

t781.  All  the  Pennsylvania  troops,  1800,  break  camp  at  Morristowm, 
in  a mutiny,  1 Jan.,  and  start  for  Philadelphia  to  demand  of 
Congress  tlieir  an  earagesof  pay  ; at  Piinceton  tliey  are  met  by 
agents  of  Oen.  Clinton,  who  seek  to  entice  them  either  to  enter 
the  British  sei  vice  or  to  permanently  abandon  the  Amercans; 
tlie  troops  seize  the  agents  and  deliver  theju  to  their  com- 
mander, Gen.  Wayne,  as  spies;  Cnigress  appoints  a commis- 
•ion  whicli  accedes  to  the  <lemands  of  the  troops,  and  a large 
part  of  the  Pennsylvania  line  is  disbanded. 

Benedict  ArnoKl,  as  a British  Brigadier,  leads  an  expedition 
of  1600  Briti.^h  and  Tories  into  Viroinia;  he  destroys  a P 
amount  of  public  and  ja  ivate  stoies  in  Richmond,  5 Jan.,  and 
makes  his  headquai  teis  at  Portsmouth,  after  fortifying  it,  20. 
Washington  sends  Lafayette,  witii  1200  men,  to  ca]  tnre  him, 
and  th^  French  lleet  srdls  fi  om  Rhode  Island  to  assist,  S Mai  ch; 
Cl  inton,  learning  of  the  move na^n,  hastens  Admiral  Aibuth- 
not  from  New  Voi  k,  he  attacks  tne  French  tleet,  16,  forcing  it 

return  to  KViodn  fdnnd,  Gen  Phi]i])5  joins  Arnold  with  2000 
ftien,  26,  and  takes  command. 

Just  as  Cornw'aliis  is  pre[)aring  lor  a second  march  in  North 
Carolina,  Gen.  Greent^  sends  Gen  Morgan  to  the  WTSt  cf  South 
Carolina,  vvhen  Coi  nwailbi  directs  Taideton  to  disperse  the 
command  , Moigan  at  fiist  retjeats  before  the  ouperior  force  of 
Tarleton,  but  at  the  Cow^pens,  17  Jan.,  the  Americans  rally, 
and  in  a general  charge  utterly  rout  the  British,  killing  and 
wounding  800,  taking  500  prisoners,  and  secni’ing  100  cavalry 
horses  and  a large  haggag-e  train,  at  a loss  of  72  killed  and 
wounded,  Congress  votes  Morgan  a gold  medal  for  Ills  victory. 

A poi  tion  of  the  New  Jeisey  troops  break  camp  at  Pomi^ton, 
in  mutiny,  18  Jan.;  Washington  sends  500  men  under  Gen. 
Robert  Howe  to  quell  the  muHny;  on  his  arrival  lie  hangs  two 
of  tiie  leaders,  27,  upon  which  the  others  submit. 

Robert  Morris  is  [daeed  in  charge  of  the  public  Treasur}’  by 
Congress,  and,  through  his  rare  executive  ability  in  collecting 
the  newly  imposed  taxes,  anddiis  patriotism  in  giving  Congress 
Ihe  use  of  his  private  fortune  and  his  personal  credit,  he 
euahles  the  armies  to  nndeitake  more  cheerful  and  vigorous 
cainpalgiis- 

After  ']  anelon's  defeat,  Cornw'aliis  destroys  his  heavy  bag- 

fage,  and  begins  a foi'ced  march  to^vards  the  Cataw’ba,  ■whither 
lorgan  is  also  speeding;  Morgan  reaches  the  river  hist,  closely 
pursued  by  Cornwallis,  and  crosses  in  safety,  Coinwallis,  two 
hours  later,  halts  on  the  bank,  designing  te  cross  in  the  morn- 
ing, but  a heavy  rain  comes  up  during  rlie  niglit,  rendejing  the 
liver  impassable  for  two  days;  this  gives  the  Ameiicans  an 
'idvantage;  Greene  joins  Morgan,  81  Jan.,  and  tonthiaes  the 
retreat;  the  American?  reaeb  the  Yadkin  first  and  ci*oss.  the 
Britiidi.  close  u lu  i 


94  HfMorrj  of  the  XTnite^  /States, 

1781.  etorm  breaks,  and  wliiLi  Grrocne  is  j)ursuing  liis  retreat  towards 
Virginia,  Cornwallis  is  retarded  by  having  to  seek  another 
crossing;  Greene  is  joined  at  Guilford  Court  House  by  the 
remainder  of  his  army,  7 Feb.,  and  reaches  his  tliird  river  (the 
Dan)  just  ahead  of  tlie  llritisli,  wlio  are  once  more  checked  by 
the  rising  of  the  waters,  14;  here  Cornwallis  abandons  the 
])henomenal  pursuit,  and  returning  to  the  south,  lixes  his  camf: 
at  Hillsborough. 

George  Taylor,  of  Penn.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  oJ 
Independence,  dies,  23  Feb. 

The  State  of  New  York  makes  a concession  to  the  Congress 
of  all  its  country  north  of  the  Ohio,  1 March. 

By  1 March,  Greene  has  secured  an  army  of  nearly  5000 
men,  and  feeling  strong  enougn  to  cope  with  Cornwallis,  lie 
recrosses  the  Dan  into  Carolina  and  prepares  for  an  engage- 
ment at  Guilford  Couit  House;  the  British  boldly  attack,  15 
March,  and  after  a desparate  battle,  the  Americans  fall  back, 
leaving  the  held  to  the  enemy,  losing  in  killed  and  wounded 
400,  against  a British  loss  of  500,  including  a number  of  prom, 
inent  ollicers;  Cornwallis  retires  to  Wilmington,  and  subse- 
quently  begins  (25  April)  a march  upon  Virginia.  Greene, 
resolving  to  re-enter  South  Carolina,  encami)s  on  Hobkirk's 
Hill,  near  the  British  post  at  Camden;  liere  Lord  Kawdon 
attacks  him,  25  April;  after  a prehminary  success,  a Maryland 
regiment  throws  the  American  line  into  confusion,  and  a gen- 
eral rout  ensues. 

Gen.  Marion's  brigade  and  Col.  Henry  Lee’s  cavalry  begin 
to  stem  the  tide  of  disaster;  tlirough  their  skilfull  manoeuver- 
ing  the  Americans  take  Fort  Watson,  on  the  Santee,  16  April, 
Orangeburg,  11  May,  Fort  Motte,  12,  the  post  at  Nelson’s  Ferry, 
14,  aiid  Fort  Granby,  16.  Lee  captures  Fort  Galphin,  a few 
miles  below  Augusta,  21,  and  demands  the  surrender  of  that 
post;  on  being  refused  he  lays  slege^  23,  and  the  British  capi. 
tulate,  5 June.  Lee  and  Pickens  then  join  Greene  inthe  siege 
of  Fort  Ninety  Six^  but  on  the  approach  of  Rawdon,  19,  the 
Americans  retreat. 

Just  before  Lord  Rawdon’s  rel  urn  to  England,  he  reluctant^ 
consents  to  the  execution  of  Col.  Isaac  Hayne,  1 July,  a hrnj 
and  popular  patriot  who  has  been  convicted  on  a charge  oi 
breaking  his  parole,  after  the  occupation  of  Charleston, 

Gen.  Clinton,  under  the  belief  that  Washington  Is  about  at- 
tacking New  York,  and  hoping  to  deprive  him  of  Lafayette’s 
army,  now  in  Virginia,  orders  Cornwallis  to  conquer  that  sec- 
tion; the  Iatt(ir  crosses  from  N.  Carolina,  overruns  the  Jarne^ 
Riv(;r  country,  takes  Rich  mo  xl  and  Williamsburg,  sustains  aij 
attack  by  Lafay(dte  and  a cliargo  by  Wayne,  near  Portsmouth, 
takes  tlio  latter  place  for  an  encampment,  but  abandons  it,  ano 
concenti*atcs  his  army,  1~22  Aug.,  at  Yorktown,  which,  witk 
Glonce.st(;r  Point,  on  the  oi)posite  side  of  the  York  River,  he 
fortifies.  V'^iny  opportmiely  for  Washington,  a second  lleet, 
under  the  Count  de  Grasse,  arrives  from  France,  and  is  sent  tc 
the  Cl i(i8ai>eake, where  it  blockades  the  James  and  York  Rivers^ 
28-30  Aug. 


95 


History  oj  the  United  States. 

198i.  With  a view  to  distracting  Washington’s  attention,  Clinlon 
sencis  Arnold  on  an  expedition  into  Connecticut;  the  Traitor 
lands,  6 Sep.,  and  marches  against  Fort  I'lLinibnll,  below  New 
London,  which  surrenders  at  his  demand;  the  same  day,  a de- 
tachment carries  Fort  Griswold,  on  tlie  east  side  of  the  1'bames, 
by  assault,  and  at  the  surrender.  Col.  Ledyard,  tlu^Commandei’, 
is  run  through  the  body  with  his  own  sword  by  tlie  British  com- 
mandant; near]}"  all  the  garrison  are  killed  < r wouiuh  d after 
the  surrender;  Arnold  then  burns  New  London  and  withdraws 
to  New  York. 

The  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  8 Sep.,  between  Greene  and 
Col.  Stewart,  Rawdon’s  successor,  in  which,  after  a litter  fight 
of  four  hours,  Greene  withdraws  from  the  held,  iheni  eoecupies 
it,  and  leads  a fruitless  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  closes  the  field 
actions  of  the  war  in  the  Carolina  district.  Congress  votes 
Gi  eene  a special  gold  medal  for  his  services. 

H aving  successfully  deceived  Clinton  as  to  his  real  jmrpcses, 
Washington  suddenly  withdraws  the  ecmbincd  Frencli  ancl 
American  army  from  the  neighboihcod  of  New  Yiv  k,  and  by 
an  extraordinary  march  appears  before  Yorktewn,  80  ^c]).  He 
prepares  for  a vigorous  assault,  and  on  9 Oct.,  his  battei  ies  oi'cn 
tire  on  the  town;  several  redoubts  are  taken,  14;  ncaily  100 
];ieers  of  licavy  ordinance  are  brought  to  bear  on  the  woiks,  10; 
Cornwallis  r.ttcmpts  to  escape  by  cutting  his  way  thiough  a 
Frendi  detachment  at  Gloucester  Point,  but  is  prevented;  lie 
surrenders  the  posts  of  Yorktown  and  Gloucester,  willi  over 
7000Britis]i  soldiers,  toWashington,  and  all  the  sliippingin  the 
b.arboi*  to  Count  de  Grasse,  19.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  rcaciies  the 
mouth  of  the  Chesapeake  with  7000  men  five  da^  s after  the 
GuiTendci-,  and  immediately  returns  to  New  York. 

Congress  appoints  13  Dec.  as  a day  of  public  thanksgiving 
and  })rayer  for  tlie  great  success  of  the  American  ai  inies. 

ddie  Bank  of  North  America,  at  Philadelphia,  is  incoj  porated 
l;y  Ac  t of  Congress,  81  Dec. 

1783.  During  the  winter,  many  attempts  are  made  in  the  British  Pai 
liainent  to  terminate  the  war,  but  the  King  and  ministry  oppose 
any  relaxation  of  subjugating  efforts.  The  Commons,  4 March, 
resolve  that  all  who  advise  the  King  to  continue  the  war  shall 
be  regarded  as  jmblic  enemies;  the  administration  of  Lord  North 
comes  to  an  end,  20,  and  a strong  peace  party  succeeds.  Sir  Guy 
Cnrh'ton  is  ap]>ointed  to  succeed  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  command 
of  the  foi  ees»iii  America,  and  lands  in  New  York  early  in  May 
with  insti  net  ions  to  negotiate  for  an  early  treaty  of  peace;  in  the 
main,  hostilities  cease;  de  Grasse  sets  sail  for  the  West  Indies; 
Koeliainbeaii  establishes  his  army  in  Virginia,  awaiting  events; 
Wasliington  sends  leinforcements,  under  Gen.  St.  Clair,  to 
Greene,  and  retuiais  with  the  bulk  of  his  army  to  the  Highlands, 
The  suinnier  passes  in  correspondence  and  negotiations,  except 
in  the  soutli,  where  tlie  British  evacuate  Savannah,  11  July. 
Preliminaiy  articles  of  peace  are  signed  at  Paris,  80  Nov.,  by 
Richard  Oswald,  on  the  pm*t  of  Great  Britain,  and  Messrs.  John 
Adams,  Benjamin  Franklin,  John  Jay,  and  Henry  Laurens  on 
the  pai  t of  tlie  U.  S. 

Holland  recognizes  the  independence  of  the  U.  S.,  19  ApriL 


96 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1782.  The  Associate  Reformed  Church  is  founded  at  Pequa,  Penn., 
13  June^  by  a union  of  the  Associate  and  the  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Cliurches.  The  synod  is  formally  constituted  in  Phila- 
delphia, 30  Oct. 

The  i British  evacuate  Cliarleston,  14  Dec.,  and  the  Americans, 
under  Gen.  Greene,  make  a triumphal  entry,  15. 

Washington  College,  at  Lexington,  Va.,  is  founded. 

Tlie  lirst  Jewish  settlement  in  Philadeli)liia  is  made. 

1783.  An  insurrection  is  threatened  in  the  Patriot  army,  owing  to  tiio, 

inability  of  Congress  to  pay  either  the  oOicers  or  men  for  tlaar 
services.  Major  Joliii  Armstron<j  pre[)ares  a i)aper  and  circu- 
lates it  throughout  tlie  army,  1 Alarch,  calling  upon  the  troojjs 
to  unite  in  a demonstration  for  their  money  wliich  shall  not  only 
arouse  the  fears  of  Congress,  but  of  the  ])eoi)lc  as  well,  against 
the  consequences  of  further  delay.  Washington  promptly 
counteracts  the  strong  influence  of  the  manifesto  by  convening 
his  officers,  15,  and  obtaining  from  them  a deelaration  of  tlnar 
unshaken  confidence  in  the  justice  of  Congress  and  then*  coun- 
try. 

A number  of  tlie  clergy  of  the  Church  of  Ihigland  meet  in 
convention,  25  March,  and  elect  Rev.  Di-.  8ainu(d  Seabury,  of 
New  York,  to  be  their  Ihshop;  he  makes  api)lication  to  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  England,  to  be  conseerated,  but  that  pre- 
late declines  to  consecrate  a citizen  of  the  U.  8.  without  a 
special  Act  of  Parliament. 

Congress  proclaims  a cessation  of  hostilities,  11  April,  and 
tathies  the  preliminary  treaty  with  Great  Britain,  15;  the  Con- 
gressional Proclamation  is  read  to  the  army,  19. 

The  army  officers  stationed  at  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  meet  upon 
the  suggestion  of  Baron  Steuben,  19  June,  and  organize  them- 
selves into  an  association,  under  the  name  of  the  8ociety  of  the 
Cincinnati.  They  propose  to  commemonite  their  services  in 
the  field  by  frequent  reunions,  to  aid  such  members  as  may 
become  reduced  in  circumstances,  and  to  perpetuate  the  associa- 
tion by  permitting  the  oldest  male  descendant  of  an  original 
member  to  enjoy  all  its  privileges. 

The  last  international  act  in  the  revolution  is  consummated 
23  Sep.,  when  a definitive  treaty  is  signed  by  David  Hartley,  on 
the  part  of  Great  Britain,  and  tor.  Franklin,  John  Adams,  and 
John  Jay,  on  the  part  of  the  U.  S-;  the  treaty  fully  concedes 
the  independence  of  the  American  States,  secures  boundaries 
extending  north  to  the  great  lakes  and  west  to  the  Mississippi, 
restores  the  two  Floridas  to  Spain,  and  accords  the  Americans 
an  unlimited  right  of  fishing  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland. 
During  the  war,Great  Britain  sent  112,584  troops  f or  land-seiwice 
and  over  22,000  seamen  to  America,  and  the  Colonists  had  230,- 
000  Continental  soldiers  and  56,000  militia  under  arms. 

By  a general  order  of  Congress  the  army  is  disbanded,  3 
Nov.,  a small  force  being  retained  at  West  Point,  N.  Y.,  under 
command  of  Gen.  Knox,  until  the  organization  of  a peace 
establishment. 

The  British  army  evacuate  New  York  City,  25  Nov.;  Gem 
Knox  moves  liis  troops  down  from  West  Point  and  halts  in  the 
Bowery,  and  as  the  British  march  to  Whitehall,  lie  follows  and 


GE^'ERAL  Taylor  at  ]5uexa  Vista. 


Stoxkwall  Jacksox  at  IUtll  Kun. 


9-? 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1>783.  takes  possession  of  Fort  George,  the  artillery  on  the  Battery 
saluting  the  U.  S.  Hag,  and  the  citizens  giving  Gov.  Clinton  and 
the  principal  civil  olliccrs  of  the  State  who  acconiijany  Gen. 
Knox  a treuiendous  reception. 

Washington  sunnnons  his  officers  to  meet  him  at  his  quarters, 
corner  of  Pearl  and  Broad  Streets,  NewYork,  4 Dec.,  aiul  then, 
amid  copious  tears  and  prolonged  sobs,  he  takes  an  allectionate 
farewell  of  eatli;  the  ceremony  ovc]*,  he  proceeds  direct  to  An- 
napolis, Md.,  where  Congress  is  in  session,  and  returns  to  it,  23, 
the  commission  it  gave  him  over  eight  years  ago.  lie  renders 
an  account  of  his  expenses  as  Coinniander-in-Chief,  amounting 
to  about  $74,480,  but  declines  to  receive  any  compensation  for 
his  services,  and  seeks  the  retirement  of  his  farm. 

Congress  agrees  upon  a mejisure  to  support  public  credit  by 
obtaining  from  the  States  money,  raised  by  duties  on  imimrted 
goods  and  internal  taxation,  for  funding  the  whole  national 
debt;  but  the  jecoinmendation  does  not  receive  the  assent  of  all 
the  States. 

The  States  of  New  York  and  Virginia,  having  ceded  their 
western  lands  to  the  general  Government,  Congress  this  year 
requests  tliat  those  States  wliicli  have  not  aheady  done  so,  will 
cecle  portions  of  their  territory,  as  a fund  to  aid  in  payment  of 
the  public  debt. 

John  Jay  is  appointed  Secretary  of  Foreign  AfTairs,  March. 

The  first  step  towards  the  formation  of  a collective  body  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  in  the  U.  S.  is  taken  at  a meeting  of  a few 
clergymen  from  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania,  at 
New^  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  13,  14  May.  Their  plans  are  matured,  6 
Oct.,  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  attended  by  15  clergymen  and 
11  laymen  representing  New  York,  New  Jerse}^,  Pennsylvania, 
Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Delaware.  They  agree  to  recommend 
to  the  churches  in  the  several  States  to  send  clerical  and  lay 
' delegates  to  a convention  to  be  held  in  Philadelphia,  27  Sep., 
1785.  Bishop-elect  Seabury,  having  been  refused  consecration 
by  the  Archbishop  of  York,  England,  applies  to  several  Scotch 
Bishoi)S  who  are  not  connected  with  the  State,  and  he  is  con- 
secrated at  Aberdeen,  14  Nov.,  by  Bishops  Kilgore,  Petrie,  and 
Skinner. 

The  Continental  Congress  assembles  in  Trenton,  N.  J , 1 
Nov.;  it  adopts  a recommendation  to  the  States  tiiat  they  shall 
authorize  the  General  Government,  for  the  term  of  15  ycc  "s,  to 
prohibit  the  importation  or  exportation  of  goods  in  ves^  ^Is 
belonging  to  or  navigated  by  the  subjects  of  any  power  wiiu 
whom  the  U.  S.  have  not  formed  commercial  treadies;  and  to 
prohibit  the  subjects  of  any  foreign  nation,  unless  authorized  by 
treaty,  from  importing  into  the  U.  S.  any  goods  not  the  i re- 
duce or  manufacture  of  the  nation  wiiose  subjects  tlic}^  are. 
This  measure  fails  thi*ough  lack  of  consent  of  the  States. 
Complaints  are  made  that  the  western  military  posts  are  stiil 
occupied  by  the  British,  contrary  to  an  express  provision^of  the 
treaty,  and  that  the  retiring  British  army  have  carried  away 
slaves  belonging  to  citizens  of  the  U.  S. 

Rev.  Tliomas  Coke,  LL.D.,  a Presbyter  of  the  Church  of 
England,  arrives  in  America,  3 Nov,;  he  summons  all  the 


History  oj  the  United  States. 


1784.  Metliodist  ])rea(  Iicr.s  fo  ni(‘ct  Ijiiii  in  Daltimoro,  2.>  Doc.,  and  on 
tliat  (lay  tlio  Methodist  Episcopal  Chma’li  is  formed,  with  Dr. 
Coke  and  Francis  Asbnry  as sui)erintendents;  at  this  timii  there 
are  8o  itinerant  preadiers  and  14,988  lay  nie;nh(;:s  in  the  new 
Church. 

Connecticut  cedes  lier  claims  to  all  lands  lyiii<i:130  mih^s  west 
of  the  western  boundary  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  General 
Government. 

The  tirst  Swedmibor^^ian  missionary  to  the  U.  S-,  James 
Glen,  settles  in  l^hiladeli)hia. 

Connectienr  niKes  preliiiiinary  steps  for  tlie  abolition  of  slav- 
ery within  her  limits.  * ' 

The  Massacliusetts  Bank,  the  second  in  the  U.S.,  is  established 
in  Boston. 

The  Pennsylihtnia  Packet  or  the  General  \dmrimr  is  changed 
from  a weekly  form  and  becomes  the  lirst  daily  newspaper  in 
the  IT.  S.  ^ 

1785.  Tlie  Continental  Congress  assembles  in  New  Yoik,  11  Jan.; 

endeavors  are  again  made  to  obtain  tinancie.l  relicif  by  forming 
commercial  treaties  with  foreign  i)owers;  principles  upon  which 
it  is  deemed  advantageous  to  form  such  treaties  are  drawn  up 
by  Thomas  JetTerson  and  adopted  l)y  tlm  Coagress.  Messrs. 
Jolin  Adams,  Benjamin  Fj*ank1in,  and  Tlio  nas  .Jefferson  are 
authorized  to  negotiate  treaties  in  accordance  with  thes(;  princi- 
ples; Jolin  Adams  is  appointed  Minister  Pienip()tentiaiy  to 
Great  Ihatain,  Feb.,  to  arrange  our  commercial  nilations  with 
that  country  upon  terms  more  favora])le  to  the  U.  S.,  and  to 
adjust  several  matters  of  dispute  which  have  arisen  b(itween  the 
countries,  the  chief  being  the  alleged  non-faifillnieiit  and 
infractions  of  the  treaty  of  peace. 

Early  in  the  year,  a dispute  arises  between  the  U.  S.  and 
Spain  concerning  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  and  tht 
boundary  line  of  the  Floridas,  Spain  attempting  to  exclude 
Americans  from  that  river  and  clainiing  a more  northern  boun- 
dary to  her  territory.  Negotiations  are  begun  in  The  summer 
between  Mr.  Jay,  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs,  and  Doii  Diego 
Gardoqui,  the  new  Spanish  Minister^but  are  suspended  without 
an  issue  until  after  the  new  government  is  formed. 

Commissioners  appointed  by  tlie  Legislatures  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland  meet  in  Alexandria,  March,  to  form  a co!n[)act 
respecting  the  navigation  of  the  Potomac  and  Roanoke  Rivei-s 
and  Chesapeake  Bay.  They  agree  to  recommend  to  tlieir 
respective  governments  the  appointment  of  new  Commissioners 
to  arrange  for  maintaining  a naval  force  in  the  Chesapeake  and 
to  lix  a tariff  of  duties  on  imports,  subject  to  the  approval  of 
Congress. 

Ste[)hen  lIoi)kins,  of  Rhode  Island,  a signer  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  dies,  13  July. 

The  ])()dy  which  t)ecomes  the  General  Convention  of  the 
Universalist  Chiu’ch  is  organized,  Sep. 

An  Epis(*opal  Convention  is  held  in  Philadelphia,  37  Sep.;  a 
committee  is  api)ointcd  to  cori*esi)ond  with  the  Archbishops  and 
RLshoi>s  of  tlic  Church  of  England  with  a view  to  obtaining  the 


History  of  the  Umted  States.  9S 

1785  Episcopate  for  the  American  churclies;  an  acljournment  Is  taken 
to  20  June,  1786. 

William  Whipple,  of  N.  II.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies,  28  Nov. 

Dr.  Franklin,  U.  S.  Minister  to  France,  after  an  absence  of  9 
years,  obtains  leave  to  return  home,  and  Mr.  Jefferson  is 
appointed  his  successor. 

Chai.eston,  Philadeipli.  i,  and  New  York  simultaneously 
begin  the  ex)  citation  of  American  cotton. 

The  lirst  Shaker  i.v  ust^  of  worship  in  the  U.  S.  is  completed 
in  New  Lebanon,  N.  Y. 

The  lirst  ( ity  directory  published  in  the  U.  S.  appears  in 
Philadelpliia. 

Massachusetts  cedes  all  its  western  territory  to  the  General 
Government. 

1786.  The  Legislature  of  Virginia  adopts  a resolution,  21  Jan.,  propos- 
ing a Convention  of  Commissioners  from  all  the  States  to  con- 
sider the  condition  of  trade  and  the  expediency  of  a uniform 
system  of  commercial  regulations  for  their  common  interest  and 
lasting  peace.  Id lis  convention  assembles  in  Annapolis,  11  Sep., 
with  delegates  from  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  and  Delaware,  only;  finding  themselv(‘S  i owerless  for 
effective  woik,  the  Commissioners  adot)t  a ]’e]:oit  to  be  ])re- 
sented  to  their  respective  States  and  to  the  Congress,  urging 
the  calling  of  a general  convention  of  delegates  fiom  all  the 
States  to  meet  in  l^hiladelphia,  for  a more  extensive  revision  of 
the  articles  of  confederation,  on  the  second  Monday  in  May, 
1787.  During  tlie  year,  delegates  are  appointed  in  all  the  States 
except  lihode  Island. 

The  committee  of  the  Episcopal  Convention,  appointed  to 
secure  the  Episcojiate  for  America,  receive  a reply  from  the 
Archbishops  of  tiie  Church  of  England  early  in  the  storing, 
declining  coni}  liance  with  the  request  until  they  arc  advised  of 
the  alterations  pro]  osed  to  be  made  in  tlie  prayer-book.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  convention,  20  June,  the  committee  is  insti  ucted 
to  comniunicate  the  changes  deemed  necessary  for  the  Church 
in  America. 

Congress,  having  failed  to  secure  the  consent  of  the  States  to 
several  measures  designed  to  raise  money  to  fund  the  national 
debt,  makes  another  and  modified  call.  The  part  of  the  idans 
which  applied  for  internal  taxes  having  met  with  gi  eater  oj  po- 
sition than  any  others,  Congress  now  requests  of  the  States 
authority  to  carry  into  effect  those  parts  only  which  relate  to 
import  duties.  All  the  States  except  New  York  pionq  tly 
comply,  that  State  denying  to  the  Federal  Government  the 
power  to  collect  the  duties,  reserving  to  itself  not  only  this  right, 
but  the  right  also  of  paying  the  duties  in  its  own  bills  of  credit. 

The  financial  distress  continues  to  spread,  and  in  Massachu- 
setts, where  it  is  particularly  severe,  the  peopde  begin  to  oi  gan- 
ize  for  relief;  disturbances  are  fomented  in  various  parts  of  the 
State  during  the  summer  and  fall;  and  in  Dec.  thci  e is  an 
uprising  of  some  2000  men  in  the  northwest,  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Daniel  Shays,  a Revolutionary  officer.  They  demand 
that  the  collection  of  taxes  shall  be  suspended  at  once,  that  the 


TOO 


Ilbitory  of'  the  United  iStatea. 


'i786  State  expenses  bo  reduced,  and  that  tlio  Lef^islatnro  authorize 
tlie  emission  of  paper-money  for  jj^eneral  circulation.  The  insur- 
gents ])revent  the  holding  of  Courts  and  threat<m  to  attack  the 
' State  Arsenal;  two  bodies  of  militia  are  accordiiigly  scuit  agninst 
them,  under  command  of  Gens.  Lincoln  and  Shepard,  and  they 
are  speedily  dispersed. 

Kosciusko,  Aide  and  Engineer  to  Washington  during  the 
Revolutionary  War,  returns  to  Poland,  and  is  appointed  Major- 
General  by  the  Diet. 

Lord  Cornwallis  is  sent  to  Gibraltar  as  Governor-General  and 
Commander  - in  “ Chief,  and  successfully  terminates  the  war 
there. 

1787.  All  obstacles  against  the  consecration  of  American  P)ishops  hav- 
ing been  removed,  the  Rew.  I)rs. White,  ot  i^emi.,  and  Pi*evoost, 
of  New  York,  are  induet(Ml  into  the  Episco[>acy,  in  the  Chapel 
of  Lambeth  Palace,  London,  Englaud,  4 F(d). 

The  Congressional  Committee  to  wiioni  tiie  rei)ort  of  the  An- 
napolis  Convention  was  rederred,  Messrs.  Dana,Varnum,  S.  M. 
IMitchell,  Smith,  Cadwalader,  Irvine,  Foi*cst,  Grayson,  Rlouiit, 
Bull,  Few,  and  N.  Mitchell,  rei)oit  thereon,  21  Feb.,  strongly 
recommending  the  ditferent  Legislatures  to  api)oint  delegatesto 
the  proposed  Convention  in  Pinladel])hia.  Congress  adoi)ts  a 
resolution  declaring  the  cxpcMbuMicy  of  holding  tlio  Convention 
for  the  sole  and  express  purpose  of  revising  the  articles  of  con- 
federation, and  transmits  it  to  the  Speakeis  of  all  the  State 
x\ssemblies,  to  belaid  before  the  legislators. 

Delegates  from  nearly  half  ot  the  States  assemble  in  Phila- 
delphia, 14  May;  a majority  of  the  States  b(;ing represented,  25, 
the  Constitutional  Convention  is  then  oj'.ened  by  the  election  of 
George  Washington  as  president,  and  the  ajjpointment  of  Wil- 
liam Jackson  as  secretary.  A majority  of  the  delegates  resolve 
to  form  a national  government,  consisting  of  a supreme  judi- 
cial, legislative,  and  executive  branch,  in  opposition  to  those 
delegates  wlio  maintain  that  the  Convention  licisa  right  only  to 
amend  the  existing  articiesof  confederation.  Ediuund  Randolph, 
of  Va.,  otfers  a series  of  resolutions  containing  the  oiitdines  of 
a plan  of  government,  29.  This  “Virginia  Plan’^^proves 
objectionabte  to  the  State  Rights  delegates,  and  tlie  fact  leads 
Mr.  Patterson,  of  N.  J.,  to  sn'mnit  a scheme  more  in  harmony 
with  their  views.  Both  plan.s  are  referred  to  a coinmittee  of  the 
whole.  19  June,  and  the  “New  Jersey  Plan”  is  rejected  the  same 
day.  The  “Virginia  Plan  ” is  modified  and  reported  by  the 
committee  of  the  whole,  and  each  of  the  fifteen  resolutions  is 
considei'cd  seiparately.  The  report  as  a’mended  is  acceided  by 
the  Convention,  and,  with  the  “ New  Jersey  Plan  and  a third 
one  present! ;d  by  Mr.  Pinckney,  of  S.  C.,  is  referred  to  a com- 
mittee of  dv^tail,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Rutledge,  Randolph,  Gor- 
ham, Ellsworth,  and  Wilson;  this  committee  report  the  Consti- 
tution, 0 Aug.  It  is  mahaially  altered  in  several  places  by  the 
Convention  in  accordance  with  compromises  of  a sectional 
charact(a*  or  intei'(‘st  elfected  among  the  delegittes;  39  of  tlie55 
deiegatciS  to  the  Convention  sign  themnv  constitution,  17  Sep.; 
it  is  iimiKMliatedy  transmitted  to  Coiigricss,  which  forwards  it  to 
tiie  sevcial  State  Conventions  for  ratification;  it  is  adopteii 


101 


History  of  the  United  States. 

by  Delaware,  7 Dee.,  by  Pennsylvania,  12,  and  by  New  Jersey, 
18,  of  tlie  present  yeej*. 

The  States  owning’  lands  in  the  west  bavin ceded  them  to 
the  General  Government,  Congress  i)asses  an  ordinance,  13 
July,  establisliing  a form  of  government  for  the  territory  of  the 
U.  S.  iioi’lhwestof  the  Ohio,  being  substanlially  the  })lan  drafted 
by  Thomas  JeiFerson,  who  had  iii'view  the  foi  ination  of  at  least 
17  States  from  the  whole  tract.  Before  p-assi ng  the  ordinance, 
the  provision  that  after  the  year  1800  tlicie  sliall  be  neither 
slavery  nor  involiintaiy  servitude  in  any  of  the  States,  other 
than  in  the  pimisliment  of  crimes,  is  stricken  out. 

Thomas  Stone,  of  Md.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Ind^^ 
pendenee,  (lies,  5 Oct. 

John  Adams  remains  in  England  until  Oct.  of  this  year,when, 
the  Biilish  Court  persisting"!!!  declining  to  enter  into  a com- 
mercial treaty  with  the  U.  S.,  or  even  to  aj)point  a minister  to 
, the  new  nation,  hois,  at  his  own  request,  recalled. 

The  Legislatiu-e  of  Pennsylvania,  out  of  gratitude  for  the 
R(Wolutionary  War  services  of  the  Germans  and  respect  for  their 
industry,  endows  a college  in  Lancaster  for  their  benetit,  to  be 
forever  under  their  control.  The  Kev.  Dr.  Muhlenberg,  the 
great  Lutheran  liioneer,  is  chosen  its  lii’st  president. 

South  Carolina  cedes  its  western  territory  to  the  General 
Govern  menr. 

The  manufacture  of  cotton  is  tirst  attempted  in  the  U.  S.  at 
Beverly,  Mass. 

I’he  manufacture  of  salt,  from  the  Onondaga  Springs,  near 
Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  is  begun. 

1788.  The  new  constitution  is  ratified  by  Georgia,  2 Jan.;  Connecticut, 
9;  Massachusetts,  7 Feb.;  Maryland,  28  April;  S.  ( arolina,  23 
May;  New  llam’pshire,  21  June;  Virginia,  27;  New  Yoik,  20 
July;  and  North  Carolina,  conditionally,  7 Aug.  Rhode  Island 
did  not  call  a ratifying  convention.  In  tlie  conventions  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, New  York,  and  Virginia,  the  Constitution  encounters 
a serious  opposition  which  for  a time  threatens  its  rejection. 
Upon  the  receipt  of  the  ninth  notice  of  ratification  (tVoniN.  H.), 
the  success  of  the  measure  is  assured.  The  notices  are  referred 
to  a Congressional  Committee,  who,  14  July,  repoit  a resolution 
designating  the  first  Wednesday  in  Jan.  next  for  choosing 
Presidential  electors,  the  fii  st  Wednesday  in  Feb.  for  the  elec- 
tors to  meet  and  vide,  and  the  first  Wednesday  (4)  in  Mai  ch 
as  the  time,  and  New  York  as  the  place,  for  beginning  national 
operations  under  Die  new  Constitution.  Congress  adopts  the 
report,  13  Sept. 

Gen.  Gage,  of  the  RevolutionaryArmy,  dies,  2 April,  aged  67. 

John  Penn,  of  N.  C.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, dies,  Sep. 

It  is  estimated  that  since  the  establisnment  b}'  Congress  of  a 
government  over  the  Northwest  Territory,  at  least  20,000  men, 
women,  and  childien  have  become  setlleis  along  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio  River. 

3.789.  Thomas  Nelson,  of  Va.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Indepen*^ 
deuce,  dies.  4 Jan* 


iJ2 

1780. 


Hinton/  of  the  United  States. 

EiiM-torg  aro  cliixni  by  10  States  to  cast  votes  for  President 
and  (Jan.). 

JJie  !i-sr  K'*>M‘foval  C<)!le<2;e,  eonsistinoj  of  00  electoi-s  fi-orn  10 
Stati‘.>,  jiK'.ets  aiiJ  casts  votes  for  PresiJeiit  -aiiil  Vice- 

Pi*esi  lent. 

J'he  lirst  national  Coni^ross  of  the  U.  S.  assernbb's  in  Now 
York,  4 Aiarcli;  the  J louse  reports  a quorum  ])i(iS(int,  1 Ai)ril, 
and  the  Sonaliq  0;  on  the  latter  day,  the  temporary  jiresident 
of  tlo' Senate  reports  that  lie  lias  counted  the  voters  of  tlie  Presi- 
dential electors  in  the  jii’esence  of  both  Houses,  ami  finds  that 
Geori^o  Washington,  of  Va.,  has  been  unanimously  elected 
President  of  tlie  IJ.  S.,  and  that  John  Adams,  of  Mass.,  having 
received  the  next  highest  number  of  votes  (34  out  of  00),  is 
elected  Vice-President. 

Tlie  remaining  votes  for  Vice-President  are:  John  Jay,  9; 
R.  II.  Harrison,  0;  John  Rutledge,  0;  John  llaiicoek,  4;  (feo. 
Clinton,  3;  Samuel  Huntingdon,  2;  Jolin  Milton,  2;  James 
Armstrong,  1;  lienjamin  Lincoln,  1;  and  Edward  Tidfair,  1. 
Adams  takes  his  seat  as  Vice-President  in  the  chair  of  the 
Senate  (21  April). 

Washington  receives  the  ofTicial  notice  of  his  election,  at  Mt. 
Vernon,  14  Api’il,  and  reaching  New  York,  23,  is  welcomed  by 
the  Governor  and  conducted  with  militaiy  honors  to  quartei-s 
prepared  for  him.  The  oath  of  office  is  administered  to  him  by 
Chancellor  Livingston  on  the  street  balcony  of  the  City  Hall 
(“Federal  Hall,’'  as  it  was  afterwards  called),  30,  and  the 
inaugural  address  is  delivered  immediately  after  in  the  Senate 
Chamber  before  both  Houses  of  Congress  ; the  services  are 
concluded  by  the  President  and  the  entire  Congress  attending 
special  services  in  St.  Paul’s  Church. 

On  the  reassembling  of  Congress,  the  Senate  devotes  itself 
to  the  organization  of  a national  judiciary,  and  the  House  to  a 
system  of  revenue.  Oliver  Ellsworth,  of  Conn.,  drafts  a plan 
for  the  judiciary,  which,  after  being  amended  so  as  to  provide 
for  a Supreme  Court,  with  one  chief  justice  and  several  associ- 
ate justices,  and  circuit  and  district  courts  with  jurisdiction  over 
specified  cases,  is  concurred  in  by  both  Houses.  In  the  House, 
Mr.  Madison  introduces  a resolution  calling  for  the  levy  of 
duties  on  certain  goods  imported  into  the  U.  S.  and  on  the  ton- 
nage of  vessels.  In  accordance  with  this,  Congress  jiasses  its 
first  tariff  law,  4 July,  imposing  specific  duties  on  a long  list  of 
articles  and  ad  'oa'orem  duties  on  others,  and  establishing  a dis- 
criminating duty  of  six  cents  a ton  on  American  and  fifty  cents 
a ton  on  foreign  vessels,  besides  fixing  the  rate  on  goods 
imported  in  American  vessels  at  10  iier  cent,  less  than  if 
brought  in  on  foieign  bottoms. 

Tlireo  executive  departments,  designed  to  aid  the  President 
in  the  management  of  the  Government,  are  created  by  Con- 
gress: the  Dejiartinent  of  Foreign  Alfaii's,  or  of  State,  27  July; 
th(i  LV^jjartiiHMit  of  War,  7 Aug.;  and  the  Department  of  the 
Tniasury,  2 S'*p.;  the  lujads  of  tlie  departmentsare  to  be  known 
as  SccrelaiL'S,  and  will  r(u*eivoan  annual  salary  of  $3,500  each. 
In  lining  th()  oOices,  J’liomas  Jelferson  is  appointed  Secretary 
uf  Foredgn  A (fairs;  Alexander  Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the 


ERstory  of  the  Unite(^  fstates,  im 

Treasuiy : Gen.  Knux  is  contiiaied  as  SeOretary  of  War;  and 
Edmund  Kaiidolpli  is  appointed  Attorney-General. 

The  President  completes  the  oipnnizntion  of  the  judiciary 
system  by  appointing  John  Jay,  of  N.  Y.,  Chief  Justice,  and 
Messrs.  John  Rutledge,  of  S.  C.;  James  Wilson,  of  Penn.; 
William  Cushing,  of  Mass.;  Robert  Harrison,  of  Md.;  and  John 
Blair,  of  Va.,  Associate  Justices. 

Silas  Deane,  U.  S.  Minister  to  France  in  1776,  dies  in  England, 
23  Aug. 

Congresses  passes  a bill  for  the  temporary  establishment  of  a 
post-ohlce  department,  22  Sep. 

The  Pope  appoints  Rev.  John  Carroll,  of  Md.,  a Bishop  in 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  with  a diocese  embracing  the 
vhole  of  the  U.  S.,  6 Nov. 

North  Carolina  fully  ratifies  the  new  Constitution,  21  Nov. 

The  first  conference  of  the  congregations  of  United  Bi’ethren 
in  Christ  is  held  in  Baltimore. 

The  first  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.  S.  meets  in  Philadelphia;  at  this  time  there  are  188 
ministers  and  419  churches,  distributed  into  four  synods  and  17 
presbyteries. 

The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  U.  S.  of  America 
liolds  its  fii'st  convention  in  Philadelphia  and  adopts  a constitu- 
tion. 

1790.  At  the  request  of  Congress,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  pre- 
sents a plan  for  maintainino-  the  public  credit,  15  Jan.  Mr. 
Hamilton  proposes  that  the  General  Government  shall  assume 
not  only  the  public,  foreign,  and  domestic  debt,  but  also  the 
debts  of  the  States  incurred  during  the  war;  the  entire  cost  of 
the  war  is  estimated  at  $130,000,000,  exclusive  of  losses  by 
individuals  and  the  States,  coiu])uted  at  $40,000,000  more. 
Treasury  payments  have  been  made  to  the  amount  of  nearly 
$93,000,000;  tlie  foreign  debt  amounts  to  $11,710,378,  and  the 
domestic  debt,  mainly  due  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
war,  to  $42,414,085.  Congress  adopts  Mr.  Hamilton’s  plan,  9 
March,  and  authorizes  the  President  to  borrow  $12,000,000  to 
pay  off  the  foreign  debt;  it  also  sanctions  an  additional  loan  of 
$21,500,000,  paj^able  in  certificates  of  the  State  debts.  A board 
of  commissioners  is  appointed  to  settle  all  claims  against  the 
General  Government. 

Congress  passes  an  Act  to  provide  for  taking  a census  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  U.S.,  1 March;  the  returns  show  the  popula- 
tion to  be  3,929,326. 

The  teri  itory  southwest  of  the  Ohio,  formerly  belonging  to 
N.  Carolina,  and  subsequently  known  as  Tennessee,  is  provided 
with  a Territorial  Government,  26  March. 

The  first  patent-right  law  is  passed,  15  April,  and  the  first 
copyright  law,  31  May. 

Benjamin  Franklin  dies  at  Philadelphia,  17  April,  aged  84. 

Rhode  Island  ratifies  (lie  new  Constitution,  29  May. 

Congress  decides,  16  July,  to  fix  the  seat  of  Government  at 
Philadeli>hia  for  10  years,  and  afterwards  permanently  at  some 
point  on  the  Potomac  River- 


104  History  of  the  United  States. 

1790.  The  Indians  on  the  nortiiwest  frontier  havinc;  bej]^m  comhii®* 
tin^  depredations  upon  wliite  s(}ttlers,  Congress  authorizes  the 
raising  of  1500  men,  800  regulars  and  the  nnnainder  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Kentucky  militia.  The  command  is  given  to  Gen. 
Mannar,  wlio  is  instructed  to  penetrate  to  the  Indian  settle- 
ments oa  the  Scioto  and  Wabasli  Ihv ers,  and  destroy  them. 
Many  of  the  towns  are  burned  anti  a lai-ge  quantity  of  corn  is 
destroyed,  but  in  two  battlers  in  Indiana, "'IT,  22  Get.,  the  army 
SLilfers  a serious  defeat.  On  Gen.  Ilarmar’s  defeat,  Gen.  Arthur 
St.  Clair,  Governor  of  tlie  Nortliwest  Territory,  is  appointed  to 
succeed  him,  and  a new  campaign  is  ])rojected. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton  is  created  Baron  Dorchester  and  appointed 
Governor  of  all  the  British  forces  in  North  America,  except  in 
Newfoundland. 

Maryland  and  Virginia  cede  to  the  U.  S.  a total  of  10  square 
miles  on  each  side  of  the  Potomac  for  the  scat  of  the  national 
Government. 

The  national  revenue  for  the  year  is  reported  at  $4,771,000; 
the  imports  are  $23,000,000;  and  theexpoids,  $20,205,156. 

1791.  After  a lengtliy  and  most  excited  debate.  Congress  passes  a bill, 

9 Feb.,  to  charter  a national  bank,  to  be  located  in  Philadelphia, 
and  to  have  a capital  of  $10,000,000,  of  which  $2,000,000  is  to 
be  subscribed  for  tlie  benelit  of  the  U.  S.  Government,  and  the 
remainder  by  citizens.  The  duration  of  the  charter  is  limited  to 
4 March,  1811,  and  the  faith  of  the  U.  S.  is  pledged  that  no 
other  bank  shall  be  established  under  its  authority  during  this 
period.  The  books  of  subscription  are  opened  in  July,  and  thj 
popular  demand  is  much  larger  than  the  legal  limit. 

Early  in  the  spring,  Gen.  Scott  leads  a body  of  Kentucky 
volunteers  against  tlie  hostile  Indians  on  the  Wabash.  A second 
expedition,  under  Gen.  Wilkinson,  is  sent  out,  July;  and  Gen. 
St.  Clair  takes  the  field  with  2000  men,  Sep.  While  encamped 
80  miles  north  of  Fort  Washington,  St.  Clair  is  surprised  by  the 
Indians,  4 Nov.,  and  defeated  with  a loss  of  900  men  in  killed 
and  wounded.  Gen.  St.  Clair  resigns  the  coininand  of  the  army, 
and  Gen.  Wayne  is  appointed  his  successor. 

Vermont,  formed  from  territory  formei’ly  belonging  to  New 
York,  and  with  an  area  of  10,212  square  miles,  having  adopted 
the  Constitution,  is  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a State,  4 March. 

Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Va.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies,  April. 

Under  Washington’s  direction  the  political  capital  of  the  U. 
S.  is  planned  and  laid  out  by  Andrew  Ellicott;  the  President 
desires  it  to  be  called  the  Fedt^ral  City,  but  it  is  named  after 
him,  9 Sep. 

The  2(1  Congress  assembles,  24  Oct.;  an  apportionment  of 
representatives,  according  to  the  census  of  last  year,  is  made; 
both  Houses  i)ass  a bill  making  tlie  apportionment  conformable 
to  a ratio  of  30,000.  dOie  President  vetoes  this  as  imconstitu- 
tional  by  reason  of  the  contemplated  distribution  of  fractional 
representatives;  a bill,  fixing  the  ratio  at  33,000,  and  apportion- 
ing the  niiiresentatives  according  to  the  President’s  views,  is 
then  adopt(;d;  this  ratio  gives  the  House  a membei'ship  of  105. 
In  his  uKissage,  tlie  Presidimt  siigg(ists  a modification  of  ^he  Act 


104 


History  of  the  Xlmicd  t^tatcs.  ^ 

171^0.  Tlie  Indians  on  the  nortliwest  frontier  having  begun  commit- 
ting deiuedatioiis  iijk)!!  wliite  s<*ttl(;rs,  Congress  authorizes  the 
raising  of  1500  iikui,  300  ivgiilars  ami  the  renijiiuder  l^ennsyl- 
vania  and  Kentucky  militia,  d'lie  command  is  given  to  (jen. 
Harmar,  ^vllo  is  instructed  to  j^enetrate  to  tiie  Indian  settle- 
ments on  the  Scioto  and  Wabash  KiverS,  and  destroy  them. 
Many  of  the  towns  are  burned  and  a large  quantity  ()f  corn  is 
destroyed,  but  in  two  battles  in  Indiana,  17,  22  Oct.,  the  army/ 
suffers  a serious  defeat.  On  Cen.  llarmar’s  defeat,  0(m.  Ai  thur,' 
St.  Clair,  Governor  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  is  a})|»ointed  to 
succeed  liim,  and  a new  camj)aign  is  laojected. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton  is  created  Baron  llorchester  and  ai)i)ointcd 
Governor  of  all  the  British  forces  in  North  America,  excei)t  in 
Newfoundland. 

Maryland  and  Virginia  cede  to  the  U.  S.  a total  of  10  square 
miles  on  each  side  of  the  Potoinac  for  the  scat  of  the  national 
Government. 

The  national  revenue  for  the  year  is  reported  at  ^^4, 771, 000; 
the  imi>ortsare  ?^28,000,000;  and  th(‘ exports,  .$20,205,150. 

1791.  After  a lengthy  and  most  excited  debate.  Congress  i)asses  a bill, 
9 Feb.,  to  charter  a national  bank,  to  be  located  in  Idiiladelphia, 
and  to  liave  a capital  of  $10,000,000,  of  which  $2,000,000  is  to 
l>e  subscribed  for  the  benefit  of  tiie  U.  S.  Government,  and  the 
remainder  by  citizens.  The  duration  of  the  charter  is  limited  to 
4 Marcli,  1811,  and  the  faith  of  the  U.  S.  is  jdedged  that  no 
‘Other  bank  shall  be  established  under  its  authority  during  this 
])eriod.  The  books  of  subscription  are  opened  in  July,  and  the 
poimlar  demand  is  much  larger  than  the  legal  limit. 

Early  in  the  sjn-ing,  Gen.  Scott  leads  a'^body  of  Kentucky 
volunteers  against  the  hostile  Indians  on  the  Wabash.  A second 
exjjedition,  under  Gen.  Wilkinson,  is  sent  out,  July;  and  Gen. 
,St.  Clair  takes  the  field  with  2000  men,  Se]).  While  encamj)ed 
80  miles  noi*th  of  Foit  Washington,  St.  Clair  is  surj)rised  l>y  the 
Indians,  4 Nov.,  and  defeated  with  a loss  of  900  men  in  killed 
and  wounded.  Gen.  St.  Clair  resigns  the  command  of  the  army, 
and  Gen.  Wayne  is  ai)pointed  his  successor, 

Vermont,  formed  from  territory  formei'ly  belonging  to  New 
York,  and  with  an  area  of  10,212  square  miles,  having  adoi)ted 
thti  Constitution,  is  admitted  into  the  Union  asa  State,  4 Maich, 

Benjamin  llan-ison,  of  Va.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  e; 
Independence,  dies,  April. 

Under  Washington’s  direction  the  political  capital  of  the  U. 
S.  is  ])lanned  ami  laid  out  by  Andrew  EHicott;  the  Fresident 
desires  it  to  be  called  the  Federal  City,  but  it  is  named  after 
liim,  9 Sep. 

'riio  2d  Congi-ess  assembles,  24  Oct.;  an  apportionment  of 
representatives,  according  to  the  census  of  last  year,  is  made; 
both  Houses  ])Jiss  a bill  making  the  apportionment  conformable 
to  a ratio  of  30,000.  The  Fj‘esidcnt  vetoes  this  as  unconstitu- 
tional ])y  reason  of  the  contemiilated  distribution  of  fractional 
rejiresentatives;  a l/ill,  fixing  the  l atio  at  33,000,  and  apportion- 
ing the  r(;i)rcsentativ(‘S  according  to  the  IVesident’s  views,  is 
tlum  ado])ted;  this  ratio  gives  the  House  a iiKmibcrshi))  of  105. 
In  liis  message,  the  Fresident  suggests  a niodilication  of  the  Act 


105 


History  of  the  Lnited  States, 

>1^ 

laying  duties  on  spirits  distilled  in  tlie  U.  S.,  as  the  law  has  pro- 
voked strong  popular  opposition  and  led  to  numerous  assaults 
upon  revenue  officers  while  attempting  to  collect  tlie  duties;  a 
slight  modification  is  accordingly  made,  hut  not  sufficient  to 
allay  the  discontent. 

d1ie  first  Sunday  School  Society  in  the  U.  S.  is  organized  in 
riiiladeliihia. 

Samuel  Salter,  a young  English  cotton-sjfinner,  with  jMoses 
Erown,  inaugurates  cotton-spinning  in  the  U.  S.  at  Pawtucket, 
K.  I.,  stai  ting  three  cards,  drawing  and  roving,  and  72  spindles, 
which  are  worked  hy  an  old  fulling-mill  water-wheel  in  a 
clothiers’  establishment,  the  machinery  being  made  by  Slater 
himself. 

d'he  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  passes  an  Act  appropriating 
5,000  acre's  of  land  to  the  Free  School  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
in  Philadelphia,  as  a further  testimonial  to  German  tlirift. 

Fhe  national  exjienses  for  the  year  are  $7,207,539;  the  debt 
is  $75,403.47(3;  the  imports  are  $29,200,000;  and  the  exports, 
$19,012,041. 

1792.  Coiigress  passes  laws  for  the  encouragement  of  fishing,  hy 
granting  bounties  to  the  owners  of  fishing-vessels  and  to  the 
tisherman;  for  jn-oviding  more  efifectually  for  the  public  defense, 
by  establishing  a uniform  militia  system;  for  authorizing  the 
Ihesident,  in  \\ase  of  invasion  or  insurrection,  to  call  out  the 
militia;  foi*  establisliing  a mint  and  regulating  the  natimial 
coinage;  for  reorganizing  the  post-office;  for  regnlating  the 
election  of  President  and  Vice-President;  and  for  declaring 
what  officer  shall  act  as  President  in  case  of  vacancy  in  the 
offices  of  President  and  Vice-President;  and  adjourns,  8 Ma}^ 

Captain  Gray  discovers  and  enters  the  Columbia  Kiver,  11 
IMay. 

Kentucky,  formed  from  territory  formerl}"  belonging  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  with  an  area  of  37,600  square  miles,  is  admitted  into 
the  Union  as  a State,  1 June. 

Lord  North,  tlie  Minister  of  George  TIL,  under  whose  admin- 
istration England  lost  her  American  colonies,  dies,  July, 
aged  00. 

Gen.  Burgoyne  dies  in  a fit,  in  London,  4 Aug.,  aged  60;  his 
remains  are'interred  in  AVe.^tininster  Abbey. 

The  Keformed  Church  in  the  U.  S.  severs  its  connection  with 
the  parent  body  in  Europe. 

V’ashington,  though  anxious  to  retire  to  private  life,  is  per- 
suaded to  accept  a renomination  as  Presidential  candidate.  ]n 
the  elections,  15  States,  with  132  electors,  vote:  Washington 
3'eceives  the  total  vote,  and  is  declared  unanimously  elected;  of 
the  candidates  for  Vice-President,  John  Adams,  Mass., receives 
77  votes;  George  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  50;  Thomas  Jeflferson,  Va., 
4;  and  Aaron  Burr,  N.  Y.,  1;  Mr.  Adams  being  re-elected. 

A strong  opjiosition  to  the  President’s  administration  is 
developed  throughout  the  year,  and  the  differences  between  the 
Federalist  j^arty,  headed  b}*  Alexander  Hamilton,  which  embra- 
ces those  who  favor  the  concentration  of  power  in  the  General 
Government,  and  the  Pepublican  Part}",  lieaded  by  Thomas 
:•  Jefferson,  which  advocates  the  diffusion  of  power  among  the 


105 


History  of  the  Lnited  States, 

i79l.  laying  duties  on  sjarits  distilled  in  tiie  U.  S.,  as  the  law  has  i>ro. 
yoked  strong  popular  opposition  and  led  to  numerous  assaults 
upon  rcvvenue  ohieers  while  attempting  to  collect  the  duties;  a 
slight  modilicatioii  is  accordingly  made,  hut  not  sufficient  to 
allay  the  disconicnt. 

The  first  Sunday  School  Societ}'  in  the  U.  S.  is  organized  in 
Philadcl]  Ilia. 

Samuel  Salter,  a young  English  cotton-spinner,  with  Closes 
Brown,  inaugurates  cotton-spinning  in  the  U S.  at  Pawtucket, 
E.  I.,  stoi'ting  three  cards,  drawing  and  roving,  and  72  spindles, 
which  are  Avorked  by  an  old  fiilling-mill  wator-Avheel  in  a 
clothiers’  establishment,  the  machiiu  ry  being  made  by  Slater 
himself. 

The  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  passes  an  Act  api^ropriating 
0,000  acres  of  land  to  the  Free  School  of  tie;  Lutheran  Church, 
in  Philadelphia,  as  a further  testimonial  to  Che  man  thrift. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  yeai-  are  ^ 7,207,539;  the  debt 
is  $75,403,470;  the  imports  are  $29,200,000;  aiid  the  exports, 
$19,012,041. 

1792  Congi-ess  passes  laws  for  the  encouragemeLt  c f fishing,  h}’ 
granting  bounties  to  the  owners  of  tishing-vessels  and  to  the 
fisherman;  for  providing  more  effectually  for  the  imblic  defense, 
by  establisliing  a uniform  militia  system;  for  autliorizing  the 
President,  in  ease  of  invasion  or  insuri  ection,  to  call  out  the 
militia;  f c r establishing  a mint  and  regulating  the  national 
coinage;  for  reorganizing  the  post-office;  for  ix-gulating  the 
election  of  Pj-csident  and  Vice-President;  and  for  declaring 
what  offi(‘er  shall  act  as  President  in  ease  of  vat  ancy  in  the 
offices  of  President  and  Vice-President;  and  adjcairns,  8 May. 

Captain  Gray  discovers  and  enters  the  Columbia  Eivei*,  11 
May. 

Kentucky,  formed  from  territory  formei*ly  belonging  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  witli  an  area  of  37,000  square  miles,  is  admitted  into 
the  Union  as  a State,  1 June. 

Lord  Korth,  the  Minister  of  George  TIL,  under  whose  admin  - 
istration England  lost  her  American  colonies,  dies,  July, 
aged  00. 

Gen.  Burgoyuc  dies  in  a fit,  in  London,  4 Aug.,  aged  00;  his 
remains  are  iiderre  l in  Westminster  Abbey. 

The  Eeformed  Chun  h in  the  U.  S.  severs  its  connection  with 
the  parei.t  body  i i Europe. 

Washi.iet'  though  anxious  to  letln*  to  ] livate  life,  is  per- 
suaded tc  a leiio.iiina.ioii  as  1 irsi-a  idird  candidate.  In 

the  elections,  15’  States,  with  132  elcatuis,  v(  te:  Washington 
receives  tiie  t('t.‘il  v(  te,  and  is  declaim'd  in  aniinously  elected;  c-f 
the  ciindioe.p  s lor  Vice-President,  John  Adams,  Mass., receives 
77  votes;  George  Clinton,  K.  Y.,  50;  Thomas  Jefferson,  Va., 
4;  and  Aaron  Burr,  N.  Y.,  1;  Mr.  Adams  being  re-elected. 

A strong  opposition  to  the  President’s  administration  is 
developed  throughout  the  year,  and  the  ditferences  between  the 
Federalist  Party,  headed  by  AlexandeiTlamilton,  which  embra- 
ces those  who  favor  the  concentration  oi  power  in  the  Genci’al 
Government,  and  the  Bepublican  Party,  headed  by  Thomas 
Jefferson,  which  advocates  the  diffus.oo  of  power  among  the 


106  History  of  the  United  l^tates. 

1792.  people,  are  ca<^erl3^  assumed  by  tlie  ])iiblic.  Tlie  antao'onlsm  oF 
ids  chief  secretary's  causes  Wasliington  ^reat  couci'ru. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  14 1,509;  the  debt 
is  $77,227,024;  the  imports  ai’e  $31,500,000;  and  tlie  exports, 
$20,753,098. 

1793.  Co ui^rcss  fixes  the  salary  of  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  at  $25,- 

000  per  annum,  8 Feb. 

The  first  fui»itive-slave  law,  providing  for  the  return  of  fugi- 
tives from  justice  and  persons  esea])ing  from  the  service  of  their 
masters,  by  reipiisition  of  the  Governor  of  the  State  from  whence 
they  escaped  on  the  Governor  of  tlie  Stnte  in  which  they  may 
be  found,  ail  inflicting  a penalty  of  a fi  le  and  imprisonment 
for  harboring,  concealing,  or  aiding  in  their  escape,  is  iiassedby 
Congress,  12^Fv;b. 

Tiie  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  decides  that  a State  may  be  sued 
by  a citizen  of  another  State,  Fel).;  this  dei-ision  leads  to  the 
adoption  of  the  lltli  amendment  to  the  Constitution. 

Edmund  C.  Genet,  Minister  from  the  newly -established 
Republic  of  France,  reaches  the  U.  S.,  8 April;  he  immediately 
begins  to  fit  out  privateers  to  in-ey  ujion  tlie  commerce  of  Eng- 
land, Spain,  and  Holland,  against  whom  France  has  declared 
war,  and  demands  the  immediate  payment  of  tliC  remainder  of 
the  French  debt  of  the  U.  S.,  altliouglinot  yet  due.  The  President 
issues  a proclamation  of  warning  and  neutrality,  9 May;  Genet 
insists  on  the  right  to  arm  vessels  in  the  ports  of  the  U.  S.  as 
well  as  to  try  and  sell  prizes  there.  He  encourages  the  forma- 
tion of  democratic  societies  on  the  plan  of  the  Jacobin  Chibs  of 
Paris,  and  sets  on  foot  two  military  expeditions  against  the 
Spanish  dominions,  one  from  S.  Carolina  and  Georgia  for  the 
invasion  of  the  Floridas,  the  other  from  Kentucky  against  New 
Orleans  and  Louisiana.  The  President  calls  a cabinet  meeting, 
11  July,  when,  the  conduct  of  Genet  having  become  intolerable, 
it  is  unanimously  decided  to  demand  of  France  his  recall. 

Roger  Sherman,  of  Conn.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies,  23  July. 

The  President  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  building 

Washington,  with  Masonic  ceremonies,  18  Sep. 

John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Continental  Congi’ess  in 
1776,  and  first  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  dies, 
8 Oct.,  aged  56. 

The  8d  Congress  convenes,  2 Dec.;  in  the  House,  Frederick 
A.  Muhlcnburg,  of  Penn.,  is  elected  Speaker  over  Theodore 
Sedgwick,  of  Mass.,  indicating  an  op])osition  majority.  Mr. 
Jefferson  makes  an  elaborate  report  to  the  House,  16,  on  the 
cominercial  condition  of  tlie  U.  S.;  he  saj's  that,  of  the  exports, 
nearly  one-half  are  carried  to  Great  Britain  and  her  dominions, 
and  tliat  about  four-lifths  of  the  imports  come  from  tlie  same 
cnunti-ies.  d’he  American  shipping  is  277,519  tons,  of  wliicli 
not  quite  one-sixth  is  employed  i’l  the  trade  with  the  above 
countries;  in  all  the  nations  of  Europe  most  of  our  products 
bear  iieavy  duties,  and  some  arti(*lcs  are  wholly  prohibited. 
France  has  na'cntly  relaxed  some  of  her  restraints,  Avhile  Si>ain 
lias  ma,de  free  poitsof  New  Orleans,  ikmsacola,  and  St.  Augus- 
tiiKg  and  givc'ii  us  frcjo  access  to  her  West  India  Islands. 


107 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1*793.  Thomas  JefTerson  resigns  the  Secretaryship  of  Foreign 
Affairs,  31  Dec.;  Edmund  Kandolph  is  appointed  his  successor; 
and  the  office  of  Attorney-General,  vacated  hy  the  appoint- 
ment, is  filled  by  William  Bradford,  of  Penn. 

Eli  Whitney,  of  Conn.,  invents  the  cotton  gin. 

Count  D’Estaing,  Admiral  of  the  French  fleet  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  Kevolutionary  War  is  guillotined  in  Paris, 
for  alleged  treason,  aged  65. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $7,529,575;  the  debt 
is  $80,352,634;  the  imports  are  $31,000,000;  and  the  exports, 
$26,109,572. 

1794.  The  popular  indignation  against  Great  Britain  is  strongly 
reflected  in  the  national  legislation.  Mr.  Madison,  4 Jan.,  intro- 
duces resolutions  in  the  House,  declaring  it  expedient  to  increase 
the  duties  on  the  tonnage  of  vessels  of  nations  which  have  no 
commercial  treaties  with  the  U.  S.,  and  on  their  manufactures 
of  leather,  metals,  w^ool,  cotton,  hemp,  flax,  and  silk,  and  to 
reduce  the  tonnage  duties  on  vessels  of  nations  having  such 
treaties;  and  to  increase  the  duty  on  importations  from  the 
West  Indies  in  foreign  vessels  from  poi  ts  from  which  American 
are  excluded.  A notable  debate  is  had  on  the  resolutions,  but 
the  House  comes  to  no  decision.  A report,  made  in  response  to 
a resolution  declaring  that  a naval  force  adequate  to  the  pro- 
tection of  the  commerce  of  the  U.  S.  against  the  Algerine  cor- 
sairs ought  to  be  provided,  is  taken  up,  5 Feb.,  and  a bill  pro- 
viding for  the  construction  of  6 frigates,  4 of  44  guns  and  ib  of 
86  each,  is  passed  by  both  Houses  and  signed  by  the  President. 
Mr.  Sedgwick  proposes,  12  March,  to  raise  a military  force  of 
15,000  men  and  to  authorize  the  President  to  lay  an  embargo 
on  foreign  vessels  for  40  days;  his  resolutions  are  lost,  but  the 
subject  is  again  brought  up,  26,  when  a substitute  is  adopted 
laying  an  embargo  for  30  days  on  all  vessels  in  the  ports  of  the 
U.  S.,  bound  to  any  foreign  place.  A bill  is  also  passed  for 
fortifying  certain  ports  and  harbors.  Mr.  Siiiith  declares  that 
provision  ought  to  be  made  for  tlie  indemnification  of  all  citiz- 
ens of  the  U.  S.,  whose  vessels  or  cargoes  have  been  seized  and 
confiscated  by  any  of  the  belligerent  powei  s,  upon  which,  Mr. 
Dayton  moves  a resolution  for  the  sequestiation  of  all  debts 
due  from  American  citizens  to  British  subjects,  and  to  compel 
their  payment  into  the  treasury  as  a fund  for  the  proposed 
indemnification.  Mr.  Clark  introduces  a more  stringent  resolu- 
tion, 7 April,  to  prohibit  all  commercial  intercourse  with  Great 
Britain,  so  far  as  respects  the  products  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  until  her  government  shall  make  conq^ensation  for 
injuries  sustained  by  citizens  of  the  U.  S.  from  Briti^sh  armed 
vessels,  and  until  the  western  posts  are  vacated.  The  House 
strikes  out  the  western-posts  clause  and  passes  the  resolution, 
but  the  Senate  defeats  it  bv  the  casting  vote  of  the  Vice- 
President. 

While  Congress  is  thus  fanning  the  war  flame,  the  President 
determines  on  an  effort  at  negotiaiion,  and,  16  April,  nominates 
Chief  Justice  Jay  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  of  the  U.  S.  to  .Great 
Britain.  He  is  instructed  to  labor  for  restitution  for  spoliations 
of  American  commerce,  the  fulfillment  of  the  treaty  of  peace. 


History  of  the  CTnited  /States, 


iOb 


1794.  and,  it*  successful  in  these,  tor  a treaty  of  coininerce.  Mr.  Jay 
embarks  on  his  mission,  13  May. 

Tlie  Presiilent  Iiavin^^  insisted  upon  the  n'call  of  the  French 
Minist(n*,  (xeiiet,  his  place  is  supi^lied  by  M.  Faucliet,  who  is 
insti  uctcvl  to  assure  tlie  American  Gov(anmcnt  tliat  France  dis- 
approvcs  of  tlie  conduct  of  liis  i)redec(‘SSor. 

Shoi'tly  aftc'r  the  adjournment  of  Congress,  0 June,  the  dis- 
content witli  the  law  levying  duti('S  on  distilled  spirits  leads  to 
an  open  insun  ection  in  western  Pennsylvania,  wliich  j^radually 
spreads  into  Virginia.  The  Pi-osid(3nt  issues  })ro(  lamatioi  S 
against  the  insurgents,  7 Aug.  ami  25  these,  liaving  no 

effect,  are  followed  byanordcrcairmgonc^tlaMJiilitiaofYii-- 
ginia,  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  J ' ey.  G llcni  y 
Ijcc,  Governor  of  Virginia,  is  ]»laced  in  command,  and  ])roce< 
ing  to  the  insurgents’"district,(  )ct.,  soon  (piells  tlie  disturbaiK  . s. 

During  the  wintei-,  Gen.  Wayne  builds  Foit  iiecovery,  iiear 
the  scene  of  St.  Clair’s  defeat  by  tlie  Indians;  he  advances  into 
the  Indian  country  during  the  summer,  builds  Fort  Defiance, 
aad,  moving  down  the  Maumee  River  with  3000  men,  strikes 
the  hostiles  near  the  rapids,  20  Aug.,  and  completely  routs 
them,  and  then  lays  their  country  waste. 

John  Witherspoon,  of  N.  J.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies,  15  Nov. 

Raron  Steuben,  of  the  Revolutionary  Army,  dies  at  Steuben- 
ville, N.  Y.,  28  Nov.,  aged  Gl. 

The  national  expenses  of  the  year  are  $9,302,124;  the  debt 
is  $78,427,404;  the  imports  are  $34,000,000;  and  the  exports, 
$33,020,233. 

1795.  Secretary  Hamilton  reports  a plan,  15  Jan.,  for  the  redemp- 

tion of  the  public  debt,  and  an  Act  based  upon  it  is  adopted  by 
both  Houses;  it  establishes  a sinking  fund,  consisting  of  the 
surplus  revenues,  of  bank  dividends,  and  the  proceeds  of  the 
"^ales  of  public  lamls;  the  duties  on  domestic  spii  its  and  on 
stills  are  to  be  continued  only  until  1801,  and  all  other  duties 
are  pledged  to  the  payment  of  tlie  debt. 

Gen.  Sullivan,  of  the  Revolutionary  Army,  dies,  23  Jan. 

Alexander  Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  resigns,  81 
Jan.,  and  is  succeeded  by  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Conn. 

The  jh'csident  receives  a copy  of  a tinaity  of  amity,  commerce, 
and  navigation,  concluded  by  Chief  Justice  Jay  and  Lord  Gran- 
ville, 19  Nov.  on  7 March;  ho  submits  it  to  the  Senate  in  si)ecial 
session,  8 June;  after  violent  debates  it  is  ratliied  by  a vote  of 
20  to  10  (24).  The  li'c  aty  secures  indemviity  to  Ameiican  mor- 
cliants  for  the  seizure  of  tlieir  piopeily  by  lb  itish  vessels,  and 
jJedges  a suirender  of  the  western  j'osts  1/y  1 June,  1790. 

lly  Act  of  Congress  it  is  provided  that  after  the  1st  May  the 
national  Hag  shall  consist  of  15  stip  es,  alternate  red  and 
white;,  witli  a union  of  15  vvliite  stars  in  a blue  held. 

Josiah  Pi  tlett,  of  N.  H.,  a sigma- of  the  Declaration  of 
Inde|)(‘ml'‘n(  '‘,  dies,  17  May. 

About  1 10  ) ehi(4’s.an  1 warriors  of  ctie  wa'storn  Indian  tribes 
rric(‘.t  P.  S.  Coiinnissioimrs  at  (p-eumville;,  3 Aug.,  and  sign  a 
tr(;a,t3'  (>r  | (vn  o,  ( (‘ding  a huge  trael  (J*  la.ml  to  tiio  F.  S. 

A treaty  of  p(;ac(i  is  signed  bctvve'em  tlie  IJ.  S.  and  Algiers, 5 


108 


ll'Uiory  of  the  tJrdicd  kStatdi^ 

1704.  anil,  if  gncc.essfnl  in  lor  a treaty  of  (.oiniiK-rec.  Mr.  Jay 

embarks  on  liis  mission,  iMay. 

The  President  liavinj:;  insist e<l  ni>on  tie*  reeall  of  tl’re  Frencli 
Minister,  Genet,  liis  i»laec  is  sni)j)lied  by  M.  Faiu-bet,  ^^bo  is 
instructed  to  assure  tlie  Aniei*ican  Goveinment  that  France  dis- 
approves  of  tlie  conduct  of  bis  predecessor. 

Shortly  after  the  adjournment  of  Con;j:ress,  0 June,  tlie  dis- 
content with  tlie  law  levying  duties  on  distilled  sj/irits  leads  toj 
an  open  insurrection  in  western  lAmnsylvania,  which  giaduall^j 
spreads  into  Virginia.  The  Presidfuit  is-:ues  iiroclainatioi  ; 
against  the  insurgents,  7 Aug.  and  25  Se]».;  these,  having  no 
etfect,  are  followed  by  an  order  calling  out  the  militia  of  Vii- 
ginia,  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  Jersey.  Gen.  Henry 
Lee,  Governor  of  Viiginia,  is  ]»laced  in  command,  and  proceed- 
ing to  the  insurgents’  district, Oct.,  soon  (luells  the  disturbances. 

Diudng  the  winter,  Gen.  Wayne  builds  Fort  Pecovery,  near 
the  scene  of  St.  Clair’s  defeat  by  the  Indians;  he  advances  into 
the  Indian  country  during  the  summer,  builds  Fort  Defiance, 
a id,  moving  down  the  ^Nianmee  Kiver  with  8000  men,  strikes 
the  liostiles  near  the  rapids,  20  Aug.,  and  completely  routs 
them,  and  then  lays  their  country  ivaste. 

John  Withei*si>oon,  of  N.  J.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies,  15  Nov. 

Ikiron  Steuben,  of  the  Kevolutionary  Army,  di(^s  at  Steuben- 
ville, N.  Y.,  28  Nov.,  aged  01. 

The  national  expenses  of  the  year  are  ^0,802,124;  the  debt 
is  S;78,427,404j  the  imports  are  $84,000,000;  and  the  exports, 
$33,026,288. 

1795.  Secretary  Hamilton  reports  a plan,  15  Jan.,  for  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  public  debt,  and  an  Act  based  upon  it  is  adopted  by 
both  Houses;  it  establishes  a sinking  fund,  consisting  of  the 
surplus  revenues,  of  bank  dividends,  and  the  jiroceeds  of  the 
sales  of  public  lands;  the  duties  on  domestic  sjarits  and  on 
stills  are  to  bo  continued  only  until  1801,  and  all  other  duties 
are  pledged  to  the  payment  of  the  delit. 

Gen.  Sullivan,  of  the  Kevolutionary  Army,  dies,  23  Jan. 

Alexander  Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  i-esigns,  31 
Jan.,  and  is  succeeded  by  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Conn. 

The  President  receives  a co])y  of  a treaty  of  amity,  commerce, 
and  navigation,  concluded  by  Cliief  Justice  Jay  and  Lord  Gran- 
ville, 19  Nov.  on  7 March;  be  submits  it  to  the  Senate  in  special 
session,  8 June;  after  violent  debates  it  is  ratilied  by  a vote  of 
20  to  10  (24).  The  treaty  secures  indemnity  to  American  mer- 
chants for  the  seizure  of  their  property  by  British  vessels,  and 
pledges  a surrender  of  the  western  posts  by  1 June,  1796. 

By  Act  of  Congress  it  is  provided  that  after  the  1st  May  the 
national  flag  sliall  consist  of  15  stripes,  alternate  red  and 
white,  with  a union  of  15  white  stars  in  a blue  held. 

Josiali  Bartlett,  of  N.  II.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Indciiendence,  dices,  17  IMay. 

About  1100  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  western  Indian  tribes 
inec^t  U.  S.  Commissioners  at  Greenville,  3 Aug.,  and  sign  a 
treaty  of  peace,  laaling  a laige  t met  of  land  to  the  U.  S. 

A treaty'  of  peace  is  signed  between  the  U.  S.  and  Algiei^^S 


i 


<AiTY 

yf  me 

C?  IIUNOIS 


109 


History  of  the  United  States. 

t'?§5.  Sep.,  by  which  all  American  captives  arc  released  from  imi)ris- 
onment  upon  the  payment  of  an  annual  tribute  by  the  U.  S.  to 
the  Dey. 

The  long-pending  disputes  between  the  U.  S.  and  Spain  are 
settled  by  a treaty,  27  Oct.,  in  which  Spain  concedes  the  claim 
of  the  U.  S.  in  tlie  matter  of  the  Florida  boundary,  and  the 
right  to  a free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi.  Compensation  is 
to  be  made  to  American  citizens  for  i)roi)erty  illegally  seized  by 
Spanish  cruisers. 

The  4th  Congress  meets,  7 Dec.,  and  the  Senate,  by  a vote  of 
14  to  8,  approves  the  foreign  policy  of  the  President. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Governor  of  Gibraltar,  dies,  23  Dec., 
aged  57. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $10,405,060;  the  debt 
is  $80,747,587;  the  imports  are  $60,756,268;  and  the  expoits, 
$47,080,472. 

l'?96.  The  liepublic  of  France  presents  a flag  to  the  American  Govern- 
ment, through  Minister  Adet  and  President  Washington,  1 Jan, 

Samuel  Huntington,  of  Conn.,  a signer  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  dies.  5 Jan.,  aged  68, 

The  French  Minister  of  Foreign  Affaii’S  informs  U.  S.  Minis- 
ter Monroe,  Feb.,  that  the  French  Directory  consider  the  alli- 
ance between  the  U.  S.  and  France  ended  by  the  Jay  tieaty; 
that  the  French  Minister  to  the  U.  S.  is  to  be  recalled;  and  that 
a special  envoy  is  to  be  sent  to  make  the  announcement.  A few 
days  later,  IMr.  Monroe  is  served  with  a long  list  of  complaints 
preferred  by  the  French  Government  against  the  U.  S.  The 
President  recalls  Mr.  Monroe,  9 Sep.,  appointing  Charles  C. 
Pinckney,  of  S.  C.,  in  Ills  place;  their  letters  are  presented,  9 
Dec.  Two  days  afterward,  Mr.  Monroe  is  informed  by  the 

^ French  Minister  of  Foreign  Affahs  that  the  Directory  will  no 
longer  recognize  a Minister  from  the  U.  S.  until  after  a 
reparation  of  the  grievances  demanded  of  the  American 
Government. 

KufusKing,  of  N.  Y.,  is  appointed  U.  S.  Minister  to  England, 
20  May,  to  siueeed  Thomas  Pinckney,  recalled  at  his  own 
request. 

Tennessee  is  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a State,  with  an  area 
of  45,600  square  miles,  1 June. 

President  Washington,  declining  another  election,  issues  his 
valedictory  to  the  American  people,  17  Sep. 

Gen.  Anthony  Wayne,  of  the  Kevolutionary  army,  dies  at 
Presque  Isle,  17  Sep.,  aged  51. 

With  Washington  out  of  the  held,  the  Presidential  campaign 
gives  the  two  political  parties  the  first  practical  opportunity  for 
measuring  their  strength  before  the  country.  The  Federalists 
nominate  Jolin  Adams  for  the  Presidency,  and  the  Republicans, 
Thomas  Jefferson.  Sixteen  States,  with  138  electors,  vote  this 
year,  with  the  following  results:  John  Adams,  71;  Thomas 
Jefferson,  68;  Thomas  Pinckney,  59;  Aaron  Burr,  30;  Samuel 
Adams,  15;  Oliver  Ellsworth,  11;  George  Clinton,  7;  John  Jay, 
6;  James  Iredell,  3 ; Samuel  Johnston,  2 ; George  Washington, 
2;  John  Henry,  2;  and  Charles  C.  Pinckney,  1,  John  Adams 
is  therefore  elected  second  President  of  the  U.  S.,  and 


110  History  of  the  (Jnited  States, 

1790.  'Jlioinas  JelTcrsoi),  Vice-President.  A Maryland  lOleetor  casts 
both  votes  for  Adams,  tlie  first  piece  of  “i)racticnl  jiolitics.” 

Tlie  national  expenses  for  the  year  ai*e  |8, 307, 770;  the  debt 
is  $83,702,172;  the  imports  are  $81,430,104;  and  the  exiiorts, 

' $07,004,097. 

1797.  John  Adams  is  inaugurated  President  of  the  United  Htates,  and 

Tliomas  Jefferson  as  Vice-President  (4  March). 

Washington  retires  from  pufilic  life. 

The  hitlierto  friendly  relations  of  the  United  States  with 
France  are  interi  upted.  The  treaty  negotiated  by  Jay  Ixitweim 
the  United  States  and  England  has  given  oil'ence  to  Fiance. 
The  Fi'ciuh  Directory  issues  decrees  against  American  com- 
merce, on  the  alleged  ground  of  a violation  hy  tlic;  United 
States  of  her  neutral  stand  between  England  and  France. 
Shit)S  Hying  the  American  Hag  are  caj  tured  by  Freiuh  ei  uis- 
ers,  and  condemned,  in  alleged  violation  of  treaty  provisions 
and  international  law.  Gerry,  Marshall,  and  Pinckney  ai’e  sent 
to  Fiance  as  Special  Envoys  to  remonstrate  and  lu'gotiate  a new 
treaty. 

An  epidemic  of  yellow  fever  a])[)ears  for  the  second  time  in 
Philadelphia,  and  delays  fen*  some  time  the  0[ening  of  the 
second  session  of  the  Fifth  Congress. 

The  Quakers  of  Idiiladeiphia  iiresent  a petition  to  Congress 
against  slavery;  Congress  after  debate  j*efuses  to  leciavc  it. 

"The  national  expenses  for  tiie  year  are  $8,020,012;  the  debt  is 
(82,004,479  ; the  imuorts  aie  $75,379,400,  and  the  exports, 
$50,850,200. 

1798.  Ti  le  condition  of  affairs  with  France  still  continues  unsettled. 

I'lie  des[.atehesof  the  Special  Envoys  to  the  President  are  made 
public,  in  which  it  appears  that  d’alleyrand  had  refused  to  treat 
with  them  until  a bribe  had  Hist  been  presented  to  the 
Diiectoiy.  The  names  of  the  tliree  agents  of  Talleyrand 
who  attempted  to  secure  the  bribe  in  Tallyrand’s  name 
arc  designated  in  tlie  despatches  as  X.  Y.  Z.  The  publication 
of  the  X.  Y.Z.  desjiatches  produces  great  excitement,  and  is 
quickly  foh(,w.)d  by  the  rctUiiiof  two  of  the  Special  Envoys, 
witlu  nt  having  nege  tiated  any  settlement  of  difficulties.  The 
country  is  aroused  to  a high] -itch  of  resentment  against  France, 
and  Congress  votes  appropriations  for  increasing  tlie  Navy  and 
Army.  During  the  greater  part  of  this  year,  q^lthough  there 
has  been  no  foi’inal  declaration  of  war  between  the  countries, 
France  and  the  United  States  maintain  a small  naval  warfare 
against  each  other  in  the  waters  around  the  West  Indies;  ves- 
sels are  cai)tured  and  their  crews  taken  prisonei*s.  Hostilities 
cease  toward  the  end  of  the  year. 

d’lie  song  “Hail  Columbia”  is  written  by  Joseph  Hopkinson, 
to  the  music  of  “The  President’s  March,  ” composed  in  1789, 
becomes  the  ])opular  song  of  the  da}^ 
ijiu  political  ])roverb,  “Millions  for  Defence  and  not  one 
Cent  for  d’l  ibnte,”  is  originally  used  by  Charles  C.  Pinekney, 
one  of  theSp<‘cial  Envoys  to  France.  ^Phe  name  Democrat  is 
first  appli(!d  to  dcsignat(^  a political  i)arty  to  those  members  of 
the  “ ihipublican  ” Fai  ty  who  are  friendly  to  France;  the  lenn 
ifl  used  by  tlie  Fcdei  alists  as  ua  “ epithet  of  reproach.” 


Ill 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1T98.  The  Naturalization  Laws  are  amended  so  as  to  require  a resi- 
dence in  the  country  of  fourteen  years,  instead  of  live  as  for- 
merly required. 

An  Act  is  passed  by  Congress  suspending  all  commercial 
relations  with  France. 

The  sloop  of  war  Delaware,  under  the  command  of  Decatur, 
ca])tures  a French  privateer. 

The  press  exerts  a powerful  influence  in  shaping  public 
opinion.  The  greater  number  of  newspapei’S  are  edited  by 
forei^iers.  Philadelphia  has  8 daily  papers,  New  York  5 or  6, 
and*  Boston,  though  it  has  no  dailies,  publishes  5 or  6 semi- 
weeklies.  The  tone  of  the  press  is  violent  and  abusive  of  pub- 
lic men;  but  the  best  papers  have  contrib  ators  amon^  the  dis- 
tinguished men  of  the  day,  such  as  Hai  ailton  and  Madison. 
The  Minerva,  a New  York  City  daily,  established  in  1794,  at 
about  this  time  changes  its  name  to  the  Commercial  Advertiser, 
It  is  edited  by  Noah  Webster,  who  subsequently  became  the 
author  of  “Webster’s  Dictionary.’^ 

The  Alien  and  Sedition  Acts  are  passed  by  Congress.  They 
provide  generally  by  line  and  imprisonment  against  conspiracy 
against  the  Government,  against  scandalous  writings  against 
the  Government  and  the  country.  They  had  their  origin  in 
the  hostile  feeling  of  the  country  against  France,  and  were 
particularly  aimed  at  foreigners  who  edited  newspapers. 

Imprisonment  for  debt,  in  so  far  as  regards  debts  due  to  the 
United  States,  is  abolished,  under  certain  restrictions. 

Georgia  prohibits  the  further  importation  of  slaves  from 
Africa  or  any  foreign  country:  N.  and  S.  Carolina  had  passed 
similar  laws  previously. 

Washington  is  offered  the  position  of  Lieutenant-General 
and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  (July);  he  accepts 
most  reluctantly,  and  only  because  open  war  with  France 
seems  imminent. 

The  Navy  consists  of  3 frigates,  12  sloops-of-war  carrying 
from  28  to  24  guns,  and  8 armed  cutters;  there  are  also  365 
armed  merchantmen.  Congress  makes  large  appropriations 
for  the  construction  of  new  war  vessels,  and  provides,  for  the 
increase  of  the  army  in  case  of  invasion. 

The  Kentucky  resolutions,  in  which  the  rights  of  a State  to 
nullify  “the  assumption  of  power”  of  the  general  Govern- 
ment is  maintained,  are  drafted  by  Jefferson;  and  the  Virgipia 
resolutions,  maintaining  the  right  of  a State  “ to  interpose”  in 
case  the  general  Government,  in  the  Statens  opinion,  exercises 
ungranted  power,  are  drafted  by  Madison. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $8,613,507  ; the  debt 
is  $79,228,529  ; the  imports  are  ^68, 551, 700  : and  the  exports, 
•$61,527,097. 

1799.  The  Kentucky  Legislature  passes  Resolutions  of  Nullification. 

The  Constellation  defeats  the  French  ship  L' Insurgenie  in  the 
West  Indies,  and  sends  it  to  the  U.  S.  as  a prize. 

Washington  dies  (14  Dec.)  at  Mount  Vernon,  aged  67. 

The  Legislatm'e  of  New  York  passes  an  Act  for  the  gradual 
extinction  of  slavery. 

Peace  is  made  with  France;  Napoleon  Bonaparte  had  over- 


112  History  cj  the  United  ^tdtes^ 

1799.  thrown  the  iJ)ircctory  and  oH'cred  fair  teriiiB  to  the  United 
States. 

Govci  iior  McKean,  of  Pennsylvania,  inan«:nrates  the  “sj'oiiS 
systenP’  of  appointment  and  removal  of  oflieials  on  i)artisan 
gTonnds. 

The  Government  negotiates  a loan  of  $5,000,000  at  8 per 
cent. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $11,077,04.?;  the  deh(i 
is  $78,408,069  j the  imports  ai  e $79,089,148  ; and  tlie  expoits, 
$78,005,522. 

1800.  The  ea])ital  is  moved  to  Washington ; only  the  north  wing  of 

the  Congressional  building  is  completed,  but  it  is  fitted  uj)  for 
both  Houses  ; the  President’s  residence  is  completed  (^xtc'i'nally. 

Alvepublican  Congressional  caucus  in  Phila(leli)hia  nominates 
JelTerson  and  Burr  for  President — the  first  nominations  ever 
made.  The  object  is  to  give  the  Presidency  and  Vice-Pi-csideney 
to  one  party.  JelTerson  and  Burr  each  receive  7?  votes  for 
President,  Adams  05,  C.  C.  Pinkney  04,  John  Jay  1.  A 
Rhode  Island  Federal  elector  seeing  the  danger  of  a tie,  which 
happens,  to  the  Republicans,  throws  away  a vote. 

As  JelTerson  and  Burr  receive  the  same  numf  er  of  votes  for 
President,  the  election  is  thrown  upon  the  House  of 
Repn^sentatives,  who  elect  JelTerson  President,  and  Burr  Vice- 
President 

The  census  shows  the  population  to  be  5,308,483,  of  whom 
890,849  are  slaves,  'i'he  population  of  New  York  City  is 
60,489  ; Philadelphia,  40,000;  Boston,  24,937. 

An  epidemic  of  yellow  fever  visits  Baltimore. 

Certain  free  colored  men,  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia,  ])re- 
sent  a petition  to  Congress,  setting  forth  that  slaves  are  exported 
from  the  United  States  into  foreign  countries,  and  l>egging 
Congi'ess  to  prepare  the  way  for  emancipation.  Congress 
refuses  to  refer  the  petition  to  any  Committee.  ' 

Congress  passes  the  first  general  bankrupt  law,  modelled 
upon  the  English  law,  and  extended  only  to  merchants  and 
traders. 

The  Territory  of  Indiana,  named  after  one  of  the  old  Land 
Com]mnies,  is  established  (7  May). 

Holt,  Cooper,  and  Callender,  three  editors  of  newspapers, 
are  tried  under  the  Sedition  Act,  charged  with  publishing  libels 
tending  to  defame  the  President,  and  are  convicted  and  fined 
and  imjaisoned. 

The  city  of  Washington  has  one  good  tavern  and  very  few 
houses  in  any  one  place,  most  of  them  small  huts.  I’he  War 
Ofiice  and  Treasury  Building  are  burned  down. 

A Bid  for  a monument  to  Washington  passes  the  House,  but 
after  being  amended  by  the  Senate,  is  ])Ostponed.  Fifty  years 
later  the  monument  was  begun  by  funds  raised  by  private  sub- 
6cri|)tion. 

Fifty  French  piivateers  are  oai)tured  by  American  cruisers 
during  tlie  j^ear. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $11,989,739;  the  debt 
IB  $82,970,291  ; the  imports  are  $91,252,708  ; and  the  exports, 
$70,970,780 


History  (f  the 


I Hi  in!  Stales,. 


113 


1801  The  Judiciary  of  tlie  Unitojd  States  is  reorganized.  The  Judges 
of  the  Supreme  Court  are  to  bo  five  in  number.  Tiie  country 
is  divided  into  0 circuits,  comprising  23  districts.  The  Presi- 
dent, John  Adams,  appoints  Jotm  Marshall  Chief  Justice  of 
the  Supreme  Court. 

The  Presidential  election  is  thrown  in  the  House,  eight  States 
voting  for  Jefferson,  six  for  Burr,  and  two  dividing.  On 
the  36th  ballot  Jetferson  receives  eight  votes  and  Burr  four, 
with  two  blanks.  Jotfeison  is  declared  President  and  Burr 
Vice-President. 

Jetferson  is  inaugurated  President  (4  March). 

The  first  written  “ Message  ” from  the  President  to  Congress 
on  the  opening  of  the  session  is  read  aloud  by  the  Clerk.  The 
custom  of  speeches  and  answers  wliich  had  prevailed  previously 
is  abolished  on  tliis  occasion,  and  has  never  since  been  revived. 

The  Bey  of  Tripoli,  being  dissatisfied  with  the  amount  pall 
hi  n by  the  U.  S.  as  the  price  of  a treaty,  declares  war  (10  June) 
ae:“iinst  the  U.  S.;  and  4 men-of-war,  under  Commodore  Dale, 
nr'*,  sent  to  Tripoli.  The  man-of-war,  captures  a 

Tri[)oiitan  cruiser,  after  a three  hours’  fight.  The  U.  S.  stand- 
ing-army is  reduced  to  3,000  men. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $12,273,376;  tlie  debt 
is  183,038,050  ; the  imports  are  $111,363,511;  and  the  exports, 
$04,115,925. 

1802.  Ohio  is  admitted  into  the  U’.iion  as  a State  (29  Nov.). 

The  tax  on  distilled  spirits  is  repealed. 

The  Judiciary  Act  of  1801  is  repealed,  and  another  Act  is 
passed  instituting  the  system  of  Courts  which  still  remains 
substantially  unchanged. 

The  Naturalization  Laws  of  1798,  which  required  of  an 
applicant  for  citizenship  a 14  years’  residence  in  the  country, 
are  rei)ealed,  and  Acts  are  passed  making  a five  years’  resi- 
dence necessary  (as  under  the  first  Acts  passed).  This  limit  of 
time  has  ever  since  remained  in  force. 

The  W('St  Point  Military  Academy  is  established. 

The  first  manufactory  of  sheet-copper  in  the  U.  S.  is  estab- 
lished in  Massachusetts. 

Strong  religious  antagonism  between  the  Congregationalists 
of  New  England  and  tlie  Episcopalians  of  the  South,  prevails 
throughout  the  country.  Thomas  Paine’s  book,  “ The  Age  of 
Reason,”  creates  many  freethinkers,  of  whom  Jefferson  is 
said  to  be  one. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $13,276, 684;  the  debt 
is  $80,712,632 ; the  imports  are  $76,333,333  ; and  the  exports, 
$72,483,160. 

1803.  The  United  States  purchase  Louisiana  from  France  for  $15,000,000 

(30  Apri'n.  This  territory  has  since  been  divided  into  the 
States  of  Louisiana,  Arkansas, Missouri,  Iowa,  Kansas,  Nebraska, 
the  Territories  of  Dakota,  Montana,  and  Indian  Territo  v. 
a large  part  of  the  States  of  Minnesota  and  Colorado,  and  the 
Territory  of  Wyoming. 

The  first  cotton-mill  in  New  Hampshire  is  established. 

The  first  bank  in  Cincinnati  is  established. 

The  naval  war  against  Tripoli  continues. 


114  History  of  the  United  States. 

1803.  The  national  cx])onscs  for  the  year  amount  to  $11,258,983: 
the  debt  is  $77,054,080;  the  value  of  imports,  $64,006,000:  ami 
of  exports,  $55,800,038. 

1804.  Lewis  and  Clai  ke,  in  command  of  a land  expedition,  exjOore  the 

upper  Missouri  and  the  north-west  section  of  the  country  about 
the  Columbia  River. 

New  Jersey  i)asses  an  Act  (15  Feb.)  securing  freedom  to  all 
persons  born  in  that  State  after  the  4th  of  July,  1804. 

The  Bankruptcy  Act  of  1800  is  repealed. 

Hamilton  is  killed  in  a duel  with  Burr. 

Commodore  Preble,  in  the  shit)  Constitution,  bombards  J'rii)oli. 

An  amendment  to  the  Constitution  is  adopted,  by  which  the 
electors  of  President  and  Vice-President  are  recpiired  to  desig- 
nate their  candidate  for  each  office  (25  Sep.). 

The  Indians  cede  large  tracts  of  land  east  of  the  Mississippi 
to  the  U.  S. 

The  Middlesex  Canal,  connecting  Boston  with  the  Concord 
River,  the  first  canal  opened  in  the  U.S.  for  the  transportation  ol 
passengers  and  merchandise,  is  comi)leted. 

Connecticut  and  Delaware  nominate  C.  C.  Pinckney  and 
Rufus  Kin^  for  President  and  Vice-President.  Jefferson  anc 
George  Clinton  receive  162  votes ; Pinckney  and  King  14. 
Jefferson  is  re-elected  President,  and  Clinton.  Vice-President. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $12,624,646  ; the 
debt  is  $86,427,120,  the  imports  are  $85,000,000;  and  the 
exports,  $77,699,074. 

1805.  Tripoli  makes  a treaty  of  peace  (3  June). 

The  Indians  in  the  west  and  south  cede  to  the  Government 
large  tracts  of  lands. 

The  British  Admiralty  Court  condemns  some  American  ves- 
sels and  their  cargoes,  upon  the  charge  of  a violation  by  the 
Americans  of  the  laws  of  neutrality  in  transporting  the  produce 
of  the  French  Colonies  as  neutral  property  and  under  the  flag 
of  the  U.  S. 

The  Territory  of  Michigan  is  formed  from  a part  of  Indiana. 

The  first  commission-house  for  the  sale  of  dry-goods  is  estab- 
lished at  Philadelphia. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $13,727,124; 
the  debt  is  $82,312,150;  the  value  of  imports,  $120,600,000;  and 
of  exports,  $95,566,021. 

1806.  The  first  cargo  of  anthracite  coal  is  shipped  to  Philadelphia,  but 

no  one  is  afte  to  use  it,  on  account  of  the  open  stoves  in  use  at 
that  time. 

England  renews  its  impressment  of  American  seamen. 
Congress,  in  retaliation,  adopts  a resolution  (15  Api*il)  prohibit- 
ing the  imi)ortation  fi  oni  Great  Britain  or  her  colonies,  or  from 
any  other  countries,  of  certain  artieles  of  Bi  itish  manufacture. 

Gr(iat  Britain  announc('S  a blockade  of  all  European  ports  in 
league  with  France,  and  forbids  vessels  from  entering  them  (16 
June);  France,  in  return,  declares  by  the  Berlin  Decree  (21 
Nov.)  a blockade;  of  all  British  ports.  In  consequence,  Ameri- 
can comm(;rce  sidlers  serious  loss. 

Congr(;ss  vot(;s  appropriations  for  laying  out  several  roads  in 
the  west  and  south. 


115 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1806.  llie  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $15,070,093; 
the  debt  is  $75,723,270;  the  value  of  imports,  $129,410,000;  ana 
of  exports,  $101,536,963. 

1807.  Robert  Fulton’s  steamboat,  the  Clermont,  makes  its  first  trip  on 

the  llu  Ison,  from  New  York  to  Aiba:^/  (Aug.). 

Aaron  Burr  is  tried  for  treason.  He  raised  an  armed  force  in 
Kentucky  and  the  neighboring  country,  and  conducted  it  down 
the  Mississippi,  with  the  purpose  of  establishing  a government 
of  his  own  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  He  is  arrested  at  Natchez, 
tried  at  Richmond,  and  acquitted  on  the  ground  that  he  had 
not  borne  arms  against  the  U.  S. 

Wa?*ungton  Irving  begins  his  career  as  an  author  with  a 
'^serial  ” called  “ Salmagundi.” 

Great  Britain,  by  Orders  in  Council,  prohibits.  American  ves-* 
sels  from  enterino;  any  port  in  Europe  except  in  Sweden ; France 
replies,  by  the  Milan  Decree,  ordering  the  capture  and  sale  of 
all  American  vessels  which  intend  to  enter  British  ports. 

The  British  frigate  Leopard  stops  the  U.  S.  frigate  Chesapeake 
at  sea,  and  takes  from  her  four  sailors. 

The  Embargo  Act  is  passed  (21  Dec.),  forbidding  the  depar- 
ture of  any  vessel  from  the  U.  S.  for  a foreign  port. 

By  the  unanimous  vote  of  Congress,  the  importation  of  slaves 
is  forbidden  from  1 Jan.,  1808. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $11,292,292;  the 
debt  is  $69,218,398;  the  imports  are  $138,500,000;  and  the 
exports,  $108,343,151. 

1808.  A Republican  congressional  caucus  at  Washington  nominates 

James  Madison  for  President  by  83  votes  out  of  94.  James 
Muni’oe  and  George  Clinton  are  candidates  in  the  caucus,  and 
Clinton  is  nominated  for  Vice-President.  For  President  Madi- 
son receives  122  votes,  Pinckney  47,  and  Clinton  6 ; for  Vice- 
President,  Clinton  receives  113,  Rufus  King  47,  John  Langdon 
9,  Madison  3,  and  Munroe  3. 

Madison  is  elected  President,  and  Clinton  is  re-elected  Vice- 
President. 

The  first  Temperance  Society  in  the  U.  S.  is  formed  at  Sara- 
toga, N.  Y. 

The  first  settlement  in  Oregon  is  made  by  a fur  company. 

Memorials  for  the  repeal  of  the  Embargo  Act  are  presented 
to  Congress,  and  the  Act  is  evaded  by  transportation  of  goods 
and  produce  into  Canada. 

A steamboat,  the  Phoenix,  makes  the  first  sea  trip  of  any 
steam- vessel,  from  Hoboken  to  Philadelphia. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $16,764,584;  the 
debt  is  $65,196,317;  the  imports  are  $56,990,000;  and  the 
exports,  $22,430,960. 

1809.  The  Enforcing  Act  is  passed,  providing  heavy  penalties  for 

evasions  of  the  Embargo  Act.  Under  it,  the  expoiting  of  any 
goods  upon  any  vessel,  boat  or  vehicle  of  any  kind  out  of 
the  U.  S.  is  prohibited;  Collectors  are  authorized  to  seize  all 
such  goods  “ aojmrent^y  on  their  way  to  foreign  counti  ies.” 
The  people  of  New  England  suffer  great  injury  in  business  in 
jConseq’>en.c(';  they  hold  mass  meetings  in  many  towns,  ex|)ress 


110  History  of  the  United  States, 

1809.  iriflignation  at  tuc  Act,  and  i)aas  resolutions  declaring  it '«ncon- 
stitutional. 

The  Enibai-go  is  removed  (15  March),  exce])t  as  to  Great 
Britain  and  Fra  nee.  In  June  it  is  removed  as  to  (iieat  Biitain, 
hut  is  restored  later  in  the  year,  owing  to  a failure  of  negotia- 
tions. 

d'he  new  Teriitory  of  TUinois  is  established  (J  F(d).). 

l^y  an  A(‘t  of  the  Legislature  of  Pcmnsylvania,  the  children 
of  poor  people  are  authorized  to  attend  school  at  tlie  imblic 
expense. 

Cotton  duck  from  which  sails  are  made  is  first  manufactured 
in  the  U.  8. 

Sixty-two  cotton  mills  are  in  op(‘ration  in  the  V.  8.  They 
manufacture  bed-tickings,  which  sell  for  55  to  00  cents  a yard^ 
stripes  and  checks,  fiom  110  to  40  cents;  ginghams,  fiom  40  to 
50  cents;  shirtings  an  i sheetings,  from  85  to  75  cents;  and 
counter])anes  at  $8  each.  A large  number  of  mills  for  carding 
and  finishing  wool  are  iii  ojieration.  Sj  inning  and  weaving 
wool  is  still  a household  occupation.  I’he  jainting  of  calicoes 
iiad  been  attem])ted,  but  without  much  success. 

'^'he  national  expenses  of  the  year  are  $13,807,226;  the  (h'bt 
is  $57,028,192;  the  imports  are  $59,400,000;  and  the  expoits, 
$52,208,888. 

1810.  Congress  ])asses  an  Act  (April)  by  which  the  Non-Intercourse 

Ac  t will  expire  with  the  end  of  the  session,  but  ships-of-war  of 
France  and  Great  Britain  are  excluded  fi*om  its  i)rovisioi:s. 

France  seizes  a large  number  of  American  vessels,  diaigi!  g 
them  with  trading  in  Biitish  merchandize  and  sailing  fic  in 
British  ports  under  forged  papers  of  the  U.  8.  To  the  remon- 
strance of  the  U.  8.  against  this  conduct.  Fiance  issues  (Ma} ) 
the  so-called  Rambouillet  Decree,  ordeiing  the  sale  of  182 
American  vessels,  worth  with  their  cargoes  $8,000,000,  and 
extending  a like  confiscation  to  all  American  vessels  which 
might  hereafter  enter  any  port  in  possession  of  Fi  ance. 

The  President,  in  consequence  of  negotiations  with  Franc*e, 
issues  a ])roclamation  (Nov.)  declaring  the  Decrees  of  France 
against  American  commerce  repealed. 

There  are  180  p»aper-mills  in  the  U.  8. 

The  Pacific  Fur  Company  founds  the  settlement  of  Astoria, 
in  Oregon. 

Commerce  between  Great  Britain  remains  prohibited.  By  the 
Britisli  Orders  in  Council,  American  ships  are  blockaded  from 
most  of  the  i;orts  of  the  world,  and  the  impressment  of  sailors 
continues. 

TIk;  po])ulation  of  the  U.  8.  is  7,289,881. 

The  national  exiienses  are  $13,819,980;  the  debt  is  53,178,- 
217;  the  imports  are  $85,400,000  and  the  exports  $00,657,970. 

1811.  Congress  refuses  to  renew  the  charter  of  the  United  State^Bank, 

and  its  eflecds  are  assigned  to  tru‘:;tees  for  the  purpose  of  disso- 
lutic)n. 

The  Prc3sident  vetoes  two  l)i11s  ])assed  by  Congress,  one  to 
incorporate  an  Episcojial  Church  in  the  Distinct  of  Columbia, 
and  tli(‘  other  granting  a ])i(H*e  of  land  to  a Baptist  Church  in 
Mississii»pi.  J'he  ground  of  th(3  veto(iS  is  that  these  Acts  are 


117 


ITistory  oj  Ihe  United  States. 

iiSil,  !n  conflict  with  that  clause  of  the  Constitution  whi<'h  forbids 
Congress  to  make  any  law  respecting  a religious  establishment. 

Tlie  U.  S.  frigate  President  and  the  British  sloop-of-war  Liftle 
BeU  meet  off  Cape  Charles,  and  a serious  battle  ensues.  Tlie 
blame  for  the  engagement  rests  on  both  sides,  and  is  due  to  the 
iiostile  feelings  of  the  two  countries  aroused  during  the  last  two 
years  against  each  other. 

The  Indian  tribes  near  Indiana,  under  Tecumseh,  combine 
and  become  hostile.  Harrison,  Governor  of  Indiana,  defeats 
them  in  a battle  at  Tippecanoe  (7  Nov.). 

The  ratio  of  representation  in  tlie  House  of  Representatives 
is  flxed,  in  accordance  with  the  new  census,  at  one  for  35,000, 
thus  increasing  the  number  of  members  by  40. 

Tlie  flrst  steamboat  for  use  in  the  west  is  built  at  Pittsburg; 
it  adds  greatly  to  the  emigration  to  that  section  of  the  country. 
The  first  steam  ferry-boat  plies  between  New  York  and 
Hoboken. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $13,601,808;  the  debt 
is  $48,005,587;  the  imports  are  $53,400,000;  and  the  exports, 
$61,316,883. 

1812.  Congress  passes  bills  authoi-izing  the  increase  of  the  Army,  and 
a))[)ropriating  large  sums  of  money  for  preparations  for  war 
with  England. 

Congress  passes  a bill  for  a second  Embargo  (4  April),  to  last 
for  90  days ; it  prohibits  the  sailing  of  any  vessel  for  any 
foreign  port,  except  foreign  vessels.  This  embargo  is  declared 
to  be  preparatory  to  a war  with  England. 

War  is  declared  against  Great  Britain  (18  June).  The  causes 
of  complaint  against  Great  Britain  are:  her  impressment  of 
seamen,  her  restrictions  upon  commerce,  and  her  instigation  of 
revolt  against  the  U.  S.  by  the  Indians.  The  Fedei*alists, 
especially  in  New  England,  oppose  the  war  in  an  address,  but 
the  majority  of  tlie  people  of  the  country  are  in  favor  of  war. 

Gen.  Hull  unsuccessfully  attempts  to  invade  Canada,  and  is 
compelled  to  surrender  Detroit  (15  Aug.). 

The  British  Orders  in  Council  of  1807  and  1809  are  revoked 
(23  June),  provided  the  U.  S.  shall,  after  due  notice,  discontinue 
the  Non-Importation  and  other  hostile  Acts;  upon  the  question 
of  impressment  the  British  refuse  to  yield.  In  consequence  of 
the  failure  to  settle  the  impressment  question,  the  British  issue 
Letters  of  Marque  and  Reinasal  against  American  vessels  (12 
Oct.). 

The  land-forces  of  the  U.  S.  attack  the  British  in  northern 
New  York  and  Canada  with  little  success;  the  naval  forces  gain 
many  victories  over  the  British. 

Madison  is  renominated  by  a Republican  Congi’essional  Con- 
vention in  Washington,  and  Eldridge  Gerry  for  Vice-President 
(May).  The  Opposition  Convention  in  New  York  (Sept.) 
nominates  De  Witt  Clinton  for  President  and  Jared  Ingerso  l 
for  Vice-President.  The  N.Y.  Legislature  also  nominates  Ciin  . 
ton.  Madison  receives  128  votes  and  Clinton  89  ; Gerry  131 
and  Ingersoll  86. 

Madison  is  re-elected  President,  and  Elbridge  GeiTy  is  elected 
Vice-President. 


IlistoTy  of  the,  (Tnited  States. 

1812.  The  Tei'ritory  of  Orleans  is  admitted  as  a State,  and  called 
Louisiana;  tlie  remaining  portion  of  the  Louisiana  purchase  U 
called  Missouri. 

The  first  manufaetury  of  pins  in  the  U.  S.  is  established  at 
New  York.  The  first  i-olling-mill  in  Pittsburg  is  established. 

The  national  expenses  for  tlie  year  are  |22,270,121;  the  debt 
is  $45,209,737;  the  imports  are  $77,030,000;  and  tiie  exports, 
$38,527,236. 

1813.  The  war  with  Great  Britain  continues.  Biitish  ships  in 
increased  numbers  blockade  the  entire  coast  of  the  U.  H.;  on 
the  lakes  between  Canada  and  tlie  U.  8.,  Commodore  Perry 
gains  important  naval  victories;  in  northern  New  York  and 
Canada  the  laud-forces  of  tlie  U.  8.  are  still  generally  unsuc- 
cessful. 

To  meet  the  additional  expenses  of  the  Government  incuiTed 
by  reason  of  the  war,  a direct  tax  of  $3,000,000  is  levied  on 
lands,  houses,  and  slaves,  according  to  their  assessed  value  ; a 
tax  is  imposed  on  liquors,  a duty  of  4 per  cent,  on  refined 
sugar,  and  one  per  cent,  on  sales  at  auction,  and  duties  of  from 
$2  to  $20  are  imposed  on  carriages.  A new  loan  of  $7,500,000 
is  authorized,  which  is  taken  up  at  88  ])er  cent. 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  passes  a Bernonstrance  Act, 
denouncing  the  contiiiuence  of  the  war  (15  July). 

The  Creek  Indians,  in  the  south,  make  war  on  the  whites, 
and  are  reduced  to  subjection  by  General  Jackson  (afterwards 
President)  and  other  generals,  in  command  of  the  militia  of 
Temiefisee,  Georgia,  and  Mississippi,  Co ngi'ess  passes  a bill  pro- 
hibiting, under  heavy  penalties,  the  exi)orting  by  land  or  water 
of  any  goods,  produce,  specie,  or  live-stock,  even  on  inland 
waters;  no  transportation  is  allowed  except  by  the  President’s 
special  permission. 

Stereotyping  and  printing  from  stereotype  plates  are  first 
practiced  in  the  U.  8. 

Boston  issues  its  first  daily  paper,  the  Daily  Advertiser, 

The  first  ferry-boat  between  Brooklyn!  and  New  York  begins 
running. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $39,190,520;  the  debt 
is  $55,962,827;  the  imports  are  $22,005,000;  and  the  exports, 
$27,855,927. 

1814.  The  British  Government  offers  to  treat  for  peace  (6  Jan.),  and 

Commissioners  of  peace  on  the  part  of  the  U.  8.  are  appointed. 

A new  loan  of  $25,000,000  is  authorized,  to  meet  the  increased 
expenses  of  the  war;  by  the  end  of  the  year  less  than  half  of 
this  loan  is  taken  up;  the  Government  becomes  bankrui^t, 
specie  payments  are  stopped,  and  a financial  panic  ensues. 

"Jdie  Creeks  ai  e again  in  insurrection,  and  General  Jackson 
again  subjugates  them. 

Naval  warfai-e  dui-ing  this  year  continues,  but  with  varying 
fortune  to  the  Amei  icans.  The  British  land  at  Wareham,  Mass., 
jind  burn  vessels  and  a factoiy  (14  June).  Gen.  Jacob  Brown 
invades  Canada,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Gen.  Winfield 
Scott,  d(deats  the  British  under  lliall  at  Chip])ewa  (5  July)  and 
Niagai-a  Falls  (25  Jidy).  ’J’he  British  bombard  Stonington, 
Conn.  (10  Aug.).  I’he  IWMx  fleet  (18  AugA  e^^ters  tlie  Chesa' 


119 


Mh^tory  of  the  t/nited  States, 

1814.  peake,  and  Gen.  Ro^s  lands  a force  of  4000  men,  and  marchf 
against  Waslnngtou.  At  the  battle  of  Bladensburg  (24  Aug. 
the  British  troops  eacily  overcome  the  slight  resistance  offered 
capture  the  city  (25  Aug.),  burn  the  interior  of  the  two  wings 
of  the  Capitol,  and  destroy  the  library  of  Congi*ess ; the 
President’s  house  a ud  the  offices  of  the  Treasury,  State,  and 
War  Departments  ar<^.  ^et  on  tire.  Ross  is  repulsed  in  an  attack 
on  Baltimore,  and  is  »min  (12  Sep.).  A Britisli  land-force  and 
fleet  from  Canada  are  defeated,  both  on  land  and  on  water,  at 
Lake  Champlain  (15  Sep.). 

New  England  continues  to  remonstrate  against  tlie  war  and 
the  inefficient  defence  made  by  the  National  Government.  In 
obedience  to  a Circular  isisued  by  the  Mass.  Legislatiu-e,  a Com 
vention  of  2G  delegates  ivom  the  New  England  States  meets 
at  Hartford  (15  Dec.),  foi  the  purpose  of  devising  means  for 
the  defence  of  New  England,  without  the  assistance  of  the 
National  Government. 

In  consequence  of  the  abdication  of  Na])oleon,  peace  k 
restored  in  Europe  (11  A]  all) ; and  the  Peace  Commissioners  of 
the  U.  S.,  at  Ghent,  Belgium,  sign  a trecity  of  peace  with  Great 
Britain  (24  Dec.). 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $38,028,230;  the  debt 
is  $ 1,487,846;  the  imports  are  $12,965,000;  and  the  exports, 
|6,^  7,441. 

1815.  The  principal  battle  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain  is  fought  at 

New  Orleans  (8  Jan.),  and  the  British  are  defeated  by  Gen. 
Jackson. 

The  Dey  of  Algiers  declares  war  against  the  U.  S.  because 
of  his  dissatisfaction  with  the  payment  of  certain  tribute 
demanded  by  him  (March).  Commodore  Decatur,  by  cai)turing 
an  Algerine  man-of-war  at  sea,,  brings  tlie  Dey  to  terms,  and 
ends  the  war  (30  June). 

Treaties  of  peace  with  the  Indians  in  the  north-west  are 
negotiated. 

Strong  religious  influences  prevail  among  the  people.  The 
Baptist,  Methodist,  and  Presbyterian  sects  are  largely  increased, 
Hnd  exert  an  important  control  over  public  o[)inion.  New 
England  Puritanism  becomes  agressive,  and  with  much  zeal 
attacks  the  “ Latitudinarians  or  ‘‘  Liberals.’^  Religion  affects 
even  politics;  the  Liberals  are  generally  Democrats,  while  the 
Congregationalists  are  Federalists. 

Dallas,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  proposes  a protective 
tariff. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $39,582,493;  the  debt 
♦s  $99,833,660;  the  imports  are  $113,041,274;  and  the  exports 
H52,557,753. 

1816.  A Bill  establishing  a protective  tariff  is  passed,  and  taxes  are 

reduced. 

A National  Bank  is  established,  modelled  after  Hamilton’s, 
aid  to  expire  after  20  years.  The  capital  is  to  be  $35,000,000, 
o le-fifth  to  be  paid  in  cash,  the  remainder  in  6 per  cent.  U.  S. 
S'  oek.  The  Government  is  to  appoint  5 of  the  25  directors. 

The  salary  ot  a Member  of  Congress  ^ :n,ised  from  $6  a 

$1500  a year 


12<^'  History  of  the  Vmted  (States* 

1816.  The  Indians  cede  to  tiie  (J.  S.  lai*go  tracts  of  land  In  sontbern 
Tennessee  and  Alabama. 

Congress  resolves  to  cease  receiving  irredeemable  T)aper- 
money  after  17  Feb.,  1817. 

Congress  passes  the  Navigation  Act  (1  March),  which  limits 
impoi-tations  by  foreign  ships  to  the  produce  of  their  res])ective 
countries,  confines  the  consting-ti’ade  to  American  vessels,  and 
requires  all  coasting  and  fishing  vessels  to  have  crews  conqiosed 
of  at  least  three-fourths  American  sailors. 

A Republican  congressional  caucus  nominates  James  Monroe 
for  President  by  65  to  54  for  W.  II.  Crawford,  and  1).  II. 
Tompkins  for  Vice-President.  The  oiipor-ition  nominate  Rufus 
King  and  J.  E.  Howard.  Monroe  receiv(‘s  184  votes  and  King 
84  y Tompkins  188  and  Howard  22,  with  12  votes  divided 
between  James  Ross,  John  JMarshall,  and  R.  G.  Harper.  Munroe 
is  elected  President,  and  Tompkins  Vice-President. 

An  Act  is  ]iassed  providing  for  the  payment  of  the  National 
Debt  in  annual  installments  of  $10,000,000. 

The  lighting  of  streets  by  gas  is  first  introduced  In  the  U.  S., 
in  Baltimore,  Md. 

The  first  savings-banks  in  the  U.  S.  are  cstablisiied  at  Phila- 
delidiia  and  Boston. 

A steamboat  ascends  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  to  Louisville. 
Ky. 

Indiana  is  admitted  as  a State  (11  Dec.). 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $48,244,495;  the  debt 
is  $127,334,938;  the  imports  are  $147,103,000;  and  the  exports, 
$81,920,452. 

1817«  The  President  makes  a tour  through  the  Eastern  and  some  ol 
the  Western  States,  and  is  received  everywhere  with  great 
enthusiasm  by  the  i:>eople  without  respect  of  party.  Tliis  unani- 
mous exhibition  of  the  good-will  of  the  people  shows  tlie  growth 
of  the  natioiijil  sentiment  in  the  country. 

The  Seminole  and  Creek  Indians  are  troublesome  in  southern 
Georgia,  and  Gen.  Jackson  again  takes  the  field  against  them. 

Congress  repeals  all  internal  taxes,  and  raises  the  duty  on 
many  imported  articles. 

Philadelphia  has  a population  of  112,000  inhabitants  : New 
York,  115,000;  Baltimore,  55,000;  Boston,  40,000;  Cincinnati, 
7000;  and  St.  Louis,  8500. 

Mississippi  is  admitted  as  a State  (10  Dec.). 

The  construction  of  the  Erie  Canal  is  begun. 

The  first  line  of  sailing-sliips  between  New  York  and  Liver- 
pool is  established. 

The  first  institution  in  the  U.S.  for  the  instruction  of  the  deaf 
and  dumb  is  esrablished  at  Hartford,  Conn. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $40,877,646;  the  debt 
is  $123,491,965;  the  imports  are  $99,250,000;  and  the  exports, 
$87,671,560. 

1818.  Congress  gi-ants  life  pensions  of  $20  a month  to  officers,  and  $8 
a month  to  i)rivates  of  the  Continental  Army. 

Congniss  i)asse3  an  Ac  t (4  April)  fixing  the  number  of  star 
and  8trii)es  in  the  national  flag — 13  stripes,  symbolical  of  th 


121 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

1818.  original  number  of  States,  and  as  many  stars  as  there  may  be 
States  in  the  future. 

Illinois  is  admitted  as  a State  (3  Dec.). 

Gen.  Jackson  enters  Spanish  Florida  to  continue  tlie  fight 
against  the  Seminoles.  He  overcomes  the  Indians,  and  puts  to 
death  Arhutlmot  and  Ambrister,  two  British  subjects,  wlio  had 
incitcvd  the  Indians  to  war.  He  seizes  Pensacola,  a Siianish 
possession,  but  the  Government  later  gives  it  up  to  Spain. 

The  Indians  cede  additional  tracts  of  land  in  Illinois  and 
Indiana  to  tlie  U.  S. 

The  western  State  Banks,  in  consequence  of  an  over-issue 
of  notes,  suspend  payment. 

The  lirst  steamboat  on  Lake  Erie  begins  imnning. 

The  first  Methodist  newspaper  in  the  U.  S.  is  started  in 
Boston. 

Tlie  Baltimore  Quaker  yearly  meeting  petitions  Congress  to 
make  further  provision  for  the  protection  of  free  colored  persons. 
Congress  passes  a Bill  for  the  suppression  of  the  foreign  slave- 
trade,  by  which  the  burden  of  proof  is  thrown  upon  those  in 
possession  of  negroes  found  upon  ships. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $35,164,875;  the  debt 
is  $103,466,633;  the  imports  are  $121,750,000;  and  the  exports, 
$93,281,133. 

1819.  Spain  agrees  to  cede  Florida  to  the  U.  S.  in  extinction  of  all 

American  claims,  the  U.  S.  paying  Spain  $5,000,000. 

Congress  passes  an  Act  allowing  a premium  of  $50  to  the 
informer  in  every  case  of  illegal  importation  of  an  African  into 
the  U.  S.  An  attempt  is  made  in  Congress  to  punish  slave- 
trading with  death,  but  it  fails  in  the  Senate. 

The  first  trip  across  the  Atlantic  by  a steamer  is  made  by  the 
Savannah  (June- July);  the  latter  part  of  the  voyage  is  made  by 
sail  alone. 

Emigration  from  Europe  to  the  U.  S.  increases  rai)idly  this 
year. 

The  country  suffers  from  a financial  crisis;  prices  fall;  manu- 
facturers begin  to  demand  a higher  tariff. 

Maine  petitions  to  be  admitted  as  a State. 

A Bill  to  authorize  the  Teriltory  of  Missouri  to  frame  a State 
Constitution  is  proposed  in  Congress,  and  the  question  of  pro- 
hibiting further  slavery  in  the  proposed  new  State  is  discussed, 
and  amendments  to  secure  that  result  are  defeated. 

In  consequence  of  the  feeling  aroused  by  the  debate  on  the 
admission  of  Missouri,  the  American  Convention  for  the  Aboli- 
tion of  Slavery  revives,  and  meets  at  Philadelphia  (Oct.).  Public 
meetings  for  the  same  purpose  are  held  at  Trenton,  N.  J.,  New 
York,  Boston,  and  in  the  other  large  cities  in  the  Noith. 

The  Aiaeriaaii  Farmer,  the  first  agricultural  newspaper  in 
the  U.  S.,  is  jiublished  at  Baltimore  (2  April). 

The  OJd  Fellows  Society  is  first  organized  in  the  U.  S.,  at 
Baltimore  (26  April). 

Patent-leather  is  first  manufactured  in  the  U.  S.,  at  Newark 
New  Jersey,  by  Seth  Boyden. 

All  epidemic  of  yellow  fever  prevails  in  the  larger  southern 
cities.  The  town  of  Indianapolis  is  first  settled. 


122 


History  of’  the  United  iStates, 

1819.  The  Watchman  r'tal  liejlecior,  the  lii.st  Baptist  newHt>ai>er  in 
tliO  U.  S.,  is  issued  (Aia^'). 

Alabama  is  admitted  as  a State  (14  T)(;e.)- 

d'he  national  exi)enses  for  the  yciarai  c;  ^24,004,190;  the  debt 
is  |0o,529,G48;  the  imi)Oits  are  $87,125,000;  and  the  exi)orts, 
$70,141,501. 

1820.  Congress  a])i)oints  a eommitteeto  inquire  into  the  expedie'n  y of 

prohibiting  slavery  west  of  the  Mississip])!. 

Congress  passes  the  ])ill  known  as  “ the  Missouri  Com]/i<- 
niise’’(2  Mar(*h);  by  it,  both  Maim*  aiid  Missouri  aie  to  he 
admitted  as  States  (jMissouri  as  a .slav(;-state),  with  a jn-ovision 
thenceforward  excluding  slavc'iy  north  of  tlie  line  of  oO’, 
tlie  southern  boundaiy  of  Missouri. 

Maine  is  admitted  as  a State  (15  March). 

To  meet  a deticiency  in  the  Nationai  Treasury,  a loaji  of 
$8,000,000  is  authorized  l)y  Congress. 

Congress  passes  a Temure  of  Otlice  A(  t,  by  whi(  h the  term  of 
oflice  of  the  inferior  executive  c41iceis  is  limited  to  four  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  a i e-ap])ointm(‘nt  is  necessary. 

A treaty  is  signed  between  the  IJ.  8.  and  Siaiiii  (24  (At.),  by 
which  Spain  cedes  Florida  to  the  U.  S. 

Monroe  is  re-elected  President,  aiHFJom])kins  Vice-President, 
with  slight  opposition,  J.  Q.  Adams  i’(;ceiving  oidy  one  vote  for 
President,  and  H.  Stockton  8 (Mass.)  for  Vice-President;  Daniel 
Rodney  4,  R.  G.  Harper  1,  and  R.  Rush  1. 

The  first  steamboat  on  Lake  Michigan  begins  running. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year"^are  $21,753,024;  the  debt 
is  $91,015,566;  the  imports  are  i 74,450,000;  and  the  exports, 
$69,661,669. 

1821.  Several  bills  for  the  admission  of  Missouri  as  a State,  with  and 

without  slaveiy,  having  been  rejected,  the  House,  on  motion  of 
Henry  Clay,  20  Feb.,  appoints  a eommitteeto  meet  a committee 
on  the  part  of  the  Senate  to  devise  a plan  for  its  admission;  Mr. 
Clay,  as  chairman,  reimts  a resolution  (26)  detining  the  con- 
ditions on  which  the  Territory  maybe  admitted  and  embracing 
the  Senate’s  compromise  amendment;  tins  resolution  is  adoi-ted 
in  the  House  the  same  day  and  in  tiie  Senate  two  days  later, 
and  under  its  provisions  Missouri  is  admitted  into  the  Union, 
10  Aug. 

Janres  Monroe,  President,  and  D.  D.  Tompkins,  Vice-Presi- 
dent, are  sworn  into  office  for  h second  term,  4 March. 

Matthew  Carey  is  presented  with  a ])iece  of  plate  worth  |200 
by  the  citizens  of  Wilmington,  Del.  (April),  in  aiquobation  of 
ids  writings  on  political  economy  and  national  industry. 

Spain  ratifies  the  treaty  with  the  U.  S.  for  the  cession  of  the 
Florida  country,  and  Gen.  Jackson,  the  newly  api)ointecl  Gov- 
ernor, takes  formal  possession,  1 July. 

English  otlicers  take  up  the  nanains  of  Major  Andre,  at  Tap- 
pan,  N.Y.  (Aug.),  and  convey  them  to  L^  'idon,  where  they  are 
buried  in  Westminster  Abbey. 

Miss  Sophia  Woodhouse,  of  Weatheislicld,  ("onn.,  sends  to 
the  London  Society  of  Arts  samples  of  a new  material  for  straw- 
plaiting  in  its  raw,  bleached,  and  manufactured  state,  includ- 
ing a bonnet  in  imitation  of  Leghorn,  the  substance  being 


123 


History  oj  the  United  States, 

3821.  locally  known  as  tic Jdt  moth  grass;  the  bonnet  is  pronounced 
superior  to  the  best  Leghorn,  and  the  Society  votes  lierits  large 
.silver  medal  and  20  guineas  for  lier  discovery;  a U.  S.  patent  is 
granted  her  for  manufacturing  hats  and  bonnets  of ‘‘grass/’ 
25  Dec. 

Gen.  Stephen  F.  Austin  plants  the  first  colony  from  the  U.  S. 
in  Texas,  in  the  bottoms  of  the  Brazos  de  Dios. 

Amherst  (Mass.)  College;  Colutnbian  College,  Washington, 
D,  C.;  the  Medical  Department  of  tlie  University  of  Vermont, 
Burlington;  and  the  National  Medical  College,  Washington,  D. 
C.,  are  founded. 

A quarantine  station,  with  a number  of  hospital  buildings,  is 
established  at  Castleton,  Staten  Island,  N.  Y. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  a 
large  tract  of  land  is  secured  on  the  west  coast  of  Africa  and 
named  Liberia,  to  which  it  is  proposed  to  send  such  free  negroes 
of  the  U.  S.  as  are  willing  to  emigrate. 

Among  the  patents  issued  this  year  are  one  to  George  J.  New- 
bury, N.  Y.,  foi  printing  with  metallic  and  colored  powder 
(bronzing);  and  ro  Minus  Ward,  Columbia,  S.  C.,  for  an  im- 
provement in  steam-engines,  consisting  of  an  alternating  or 
rotary  engine  which  enables  Jbhe  piston-rod  to  describe  a rotary 
motion  upon  its  extreme  end  when  turning  a wheel. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $19,090,572;  the 
debt  is  $89,987,427;  the  imports  are  $02,585,724;  and  the  exi^orts, 
$04,974,382. 

1822.  Tlie  Merrimac  Manufacturing  Company,  which  founds  the  city 
of  Lowell,  Mass.,  is  incorporated,  5 Feb.,  and  starts  its  first 
wheel,  23  Sep. 

By  an  Act  of  Congress,  30  March,  Florida  is  erected  into  a 
Territory. 

Gen.  Stark,  of  the  Revolutionary  army,  dies,  8 May. 

The  U.  S.  sign  a treaty  with  France  (commerce  and  naviga- 
tion), 24  June." 

Owing  to  the  large  number  of  piratical  craft  that  are  swarming 
about  the  West  Indies  and  preying  upon  our  commerce  there, 
a naval  force  is  sent  out  which  captures  and  destroys  upwards  of 
twenty  vessels  on  the  coast  of  Cuba. 

John  Colt  begins  the  manufacture  of  cotton  sail  duck  at  Pat- 
erson, N.  J. 

Messrs.  David  H.  Mason  and  Matthew  W.  Baldwin,  of  Phila- 
delphia, begin  the  first  engraving  of  cylinders  for  calico  print- 
ing in  the  U.  S. 

The  cotton  crop  amounts  to  210,000,000  pounds,  30,000,000 
more  than  last  year’s;  the  exports  of  the  staple  aggregate  144,- 
700,000  pounds. 

The  first  extensive  and  successful  use  of  iron  conduit-pipes 
in  the  U.  S.,  is  made  in  the  service  of  the  Fairmount  Water- 
works, erecting  in  Philadelphia;  they  are  cast  in  that  city  in 
sections  of  9 feet  in  length  and  from  2 to  22  inches  in  diameter. 

Tubes  or  pipes  of  india-rubber  for  gaseous  fluids  are  made 
an  l used  by  Thomas  Skidmore,  of  New  York. 

Steam-power  is  first  introduced  in  the  sugar  manufactoe  of 
I^^nisiana. 


124 

1822. 


1823. 


History  of  the  United 

Cotton  ciiltnro  irt  lii-st  l)c^>:nn  in  Texiis  by  Col.  Jared  E.  Grorc, 
in  the  bottoms  of  tlie  Ib  azos  de  Dios. 

Tlie  U.  8.  Government  recognizes  tlie  indcjiendence  of  Die 
Kepnblic  of  Mexico  and  of  tlie  ])rovinces  in  South  America  foi-. 
ni(‘i-ly  under  the  dominion  of  Spain. 

'Jdie  Jdieological  Depaitment  of  Yale  College  (Cong.),  and 
the  Ej)iscopal  JJicological  School  of  Viriiinia,  Fairfax  County, 
are  founded. 

Among  the  i)atents  issued  this  y,car  are  one  to  C.  M.  Graham, 
N.  Y.  (tiie  first)  for  artifi(*ial  teeth;  William  Jlall  and  Jos(‘j  h 
Hastings,  Mass.,  a ])rocess  for  making  isinglass,  said  to  be 
sup('rior  to  any  im])orted ; Georges  MiuVay  and  James  IMiglia, 
Fliihi.,  a i^roccss  for  making  bank-notes  that  cannot  be  *con- 
tei  feited*  Kcuben  Hyde,  Mass.,  a machine  for  making  pales  for 
feiu*es;  A.  C.  Ihiker  and  M.  F.  Ihddle,  N.  Y.,  a mode  of  trans- 
fen  iiig  impressions  from  ]^ai)er  to  wood;  CajJ.  John  Hodgens, 
president  of  the  U.  S.  Naval  Board,  a marine  railway,  which 
receives  the  President’s  indorsement  in  a special  message  to 
Congress  by  which  |50,000  are  apia'opriated  to  put  the  systcmi 
into  operation  at  the  Washington  Navy-Yard;  Peter  Foi*ce, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  printing  ijaper-hangings;  and  to  Christo- 
pher  Cornelius,  PJiila.,  for  light-house  lamps  to  burn  lard  on 
the  solar  principle. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $17,670,592;  the  debt 
is  $93,546,676;  the  imports  are  $83,241,541;  and  the  exjiorts, 
$72,160,281. 

A second  and  larger  naval  force,  under  Commodore  Porter,  is 
sent  against  the  West  Indian  pirates,  and  their  operations  are 
eirectually  checked. 

The  revenue  laws  are  amended  by  an  Act  approved  1 March, 
declaring  that  no  goods  imported  subject  to  ad  valorem  duties 
shall  be  admitted  to  entry  unless  the  true  invoice  is  produced, 
excepting  goods  from  a wreck;  by  another  Act,  ap[)roved  the 
same  day,  U.  S.  ports  are  opened  to  British  vessels  from  colonial 
polls  in  America;  an  Act  of  15  May,  1820,  imposing  a tonnage 
duty  on  French  ships,  is  repealed,  3 March,  and  a discrimina- 
ting duty  of  $2.75  per  ton  on  French  goods  imported  in  French 
vessels  is  laid,  to  be  diminished  one-fourth  annually  for  two 
y(‘ars. 

The  first  Bail  way  Act  in  America  is  passed,  81  March,  bj^  the 
General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  incorporating  a comiiany 
for  the  construction  of  a railroad  from  Philadelphia  to  Colum- 
bia, Lancaster  County. 

New  llamjishire  contains  28  cotton  and  18  woolen  factories; 
22  distillei  ies;  20  iron  mills;  193  bark  mills;  304  tanneries;  12 
j ajier  mills;  and  55  trip-hammers. 

Thomas  Ewbank,  of  N.  Y.,  obtains  a jiatcnt  for  manufactur- 
ing and  i)lating  lead  pijies  with  tin  for  stills,  and  one  for  manu- 
facturing tinned  sheet-lead;  this  is  the  first  apiilication  in  the 
U.  S.  ot  tin  as  a lining  oi'  coating  to  metallic  tubes  and  jilates. 

Nicholas  Longwortb,  ot  Cincinnati,  O.,  begins  the  manufac- 
turcM)!’ wimu  with  th()  muscatel  oi*  vevay  grape, ’and  produces 
IS.  wine  njsianbling  Madeii  a. 


125 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1828.  The  first  lease  of  lands  in  the  lead  region  of  the  Upper  Mis- 
sissippi, authorized  by  Act  of  3 March,  1807,  is  made  by  the 
Government  to  Col.  James  Johnson,  of  Ky.,  wlio  proceeds  to 
erects  smelting- works  and  invite  immigration. 

Benthuysen,  a printer,  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  sets  up  and  starts 
the  lirst  steam-i^ower  printing-press  in  the  country. 

Tlie  Champlain  Canal,  connecting  the  Hudson  River  at 
Albany  with  Lake  Cliajuplain,  the  first  portion  of  the  gi’eat 
system  of  internal  navigation  between  New  York  and  tlie  basins 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  tlie  Great  Lakes,  is  completed. 

Trinity  College,  Hartford,  Conn;  the  Kentucky  Blind  Asylum, 
at  Danville;  and  the  Berkshire  Medical  School,  Pittstield,  Mass., 
are  founded. 

Tlie  first  Session  of  the  18th  Congress  is  opened,  1 Dec., 
Henry  Clay,  re-elected  a Member  of  the  House,  is  chosen 
Speaker  by  a vote  of  139  to  42  for  Mr.  Barbour,  Speaker  of  the 
preceding  Congress;  in  his  Message,  the  President  renews  his 
recommendation  for  a speedy  review  of  the  tariff,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  affording  additional  protection  to  manufactures. 

Gen.  Simon  Bolivar,  a leader  in  the  South  American  Revolu- 
tion, invites  Mexico,  Peru,  Chili,  and  Buenos  Ayres  to  send 
delegates  to  a conference  at  Panama  for  the  purpose  of  form- 
ing a confederacy  for  a more  determined  resistance  to  Spc\in 
and  the  greater  security  of  their  own  independence;  the  Minis- 
ters of  Mexico,  Colombia,  and  Central  America  have  frequent 
conferences  on  the  subject  with  our  Secretary  of  State,  and  a 
formal  invitation  is  given  (Nov.)  to  the  U.  S.  to  jiarticipate  in 
the  proposed  Congress.  In  the  meantime,  the  British  Cabinet, 
through  Mr.  Canning,  carries  on  a lengthy  correspondence  with 
our  State  Department  on  the  expediency  of  a demonstration 
against  an  apprehended  design  of  the  Holy  Alliance  with  respect 
to  this  continent ; these  events  prompt  the  President,  in  his 
Message,  2 Dec.,  to  assert  that  this  Government  will  consider 
any  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  allied  powers  to  extend  their 
system  to  any  portion  of  this  hemisphere  as  dangerous  to  our 
peace  and  safety. 

Smith  Thompson,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  is  succeeded  by 
Samuel  L.  Southard,  of  N.  J.,  9 Dec. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $15,814,171;  the  debt 
is  $90,875,877;  the  imports  are  $77,579,267;  and  the  exports, 
$74,699,030. 

x324.  A charter  is  granted  by  the  State  of  Yhginia  to  the  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  Canal  Company,  27  Jan.,  for  the  construction  of  a 
canal  from  tide-water  above  Georgetown  on  the  Potomac  to 
Pittsburg,  a distance  of  841  miles. 

A caucus  is  held  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  to  secure  the  nomina- 
tion of  Mr.  Crawford,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  for  the  Presi- 
dency, 14  Feb.;  only  68  of  the  258  ‘^Republican’'  members 
attend;  a motion  is  made  to  adjourn  to  20  March,  but  it  is 
opposed,  and  the  meeting  proceeds  to  ballot  for  a candidate;  of 
the  68  votes  given,  Mr.  Crawford  receives  64;  John  Quincy 
Adams,  2;  Andrew  Jackson,  !;  and  Nathaniel  Masoiq  1;  foj 
Vice-President,  Albert  Gallatin  receives  57  votes. 


f26  ILUtor  j of  th(  United  States. 

1834.  A Convention  botween  tlie  11.  S.  and  Gr(‘at  Britain  is  f*i;xnefl, 
13  Mardi,  for  the  sui)i)ression  of  the  slavc-tradi;;  it  ]>rovi(h‘S  tliat 
earli  Govei’innent  shall  send  vc'ssds  to  ernis(^  in  the  waters  of 
Africa,  Aineiiea,  and  the  West  Indies,  with  j-ower  to  board 
other  vessels  of  either  nation  susjxH  ted  of  b(!ini»:  slavers. 

'Idle  Fi-anklin  Institute  of  the  8tate  of  Pennsylvania  is  incor- 
porated, 30  March,  for  the  promotion  and  encouragement  of 
manufactures  and  the  meclninic  and  useful  aits. 

A treaty  between  the  U.  8.  and  Russia  is  signed,  5 A] nil,  by 
which  the  lioundary  line  between  the  IT.  8.  and  the  Russian 
possessions  on  the  IVilic  Coast  is  established  at  45  degrees  40 
minutes  north  latitude. 

A Bill  proposing  to  increase  the  dutii.'s  on  Im]i<)rts,  aftei-  a 
discussion  of  over  two  months,  made  memorable  by  the  great 
sjieeches  of  Ilemy  Clay  and  Daniel  Webster,  is  j ass(‘d  in  the 
House  16  April;  amendments  are  made  in  the  8(mate  to  which 
the  House  fails  to  agree,  but  theditferences  an*  settled  by  a con- 
ference committee,  and  the  Senate  passes  the  bill. 

In  accordance  with  a decree  of  tlie  i\h‘xican  Government,  the 
provinces  of  Texas  and  Coahuila  are  united  as  one  State,  Aug. 

Gen.  Lafayette  lands  on  Shiten  Island,  N.  Y.,  15  Aug.,  being 
received  by  the  Vice-Presu.(M;t  of  the  U.  8.;  lu;  is  escoi  ted  ujj 
to  the  city  (16)  by  a large  naval  jn-occssion,  und  disembarks  at 
Castle  Garden  amid  the  ringing  of  bells,  the  salutes  of  artillery, 
and  the  cheers  of  a tremendous  multitude;  at  the  City  Hall  he 
is  officially  welcomed,  and  there,  din  ing  his  stay,  he  holds  daily 
levees;  at  his  de]iarturc  he  is  escorted  by  a lai  ge  body  of  ti  oops 
to  Kingsbridge,  whence  he  starts  on  a tour  of  the  U.8.,  to  receive 
ovations  of  fiiendship  and  gratitude  at  eveiy  step. 

In  the  Presidential  election  the  suffrages  oi  the  people  are 
divided  between  four  candidates  for  the  Prcskhuicy,  viz:  John 
Quincy  Adams,  105,321;  Andrew  Jackson,  152,899;  W.  H. 
Crawford,  47,265;  and  ilemy  Clay,  47,087,  ecpial  to  84  electoral 
votes  for  Adams,  98  for  Jackson,  41  for  Ciawford,  and  37  for 
Clay;  John  C.  Calhoun  receives  for  Vice-President  182  electoral 
votes,  against  78  for  all  others;  the  electors  having  failed  to 
elect  a President,  that  duty  will  devolve  ui)on  the  House  of 
Re])resentatives. 

The  Legislature  of  New  Jersey  grants  Acts  of  incorporation 
of  companies,  31  Dec.,  authorized  to  construct  the  Delaware 
and  Raritan  Canal  and  the  Morris  Canal,  the  latter  to  run  from 
the  Delaware  River  at  Phillipsburg,  opposite  Easton,  Penn.,  to 
the  Passaic  River,  at  Newark. 

An  institute  is  established  and  endowed  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  b}" 
flon.  8tei)hen  Van  Reiisselaer,  for  the  instruction  of  young  men 
in  the  application  of  mathematical  science  to  civil  engineering, 
and  in  natuial  science. 

A g(H)logical  survey  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  by  Prof. 
Olmsted  attracts  public  attention  to  the  gold-beai  ing  region  of 
the  State,  wliich  he  estimat(\s  embraces  over  1000  acres. 

Zadoc  Pi-att  ])urt  liases  land  and  water-power  in  Greene 
County,  N.  Y.,  (m*(*(  ts  a,  mammoth  structure  for  manufacturing 
hemlock-tanned  leatlua’,  and  founds  the  village  of  Prattsville. 


126 


History  of  tlie  United  States. 


1824. 


A Convention  between  the  U.  S.  and  Great  Britain  is  {-igned, 
13  Mareli,  for  tlie  suppression  of  tlie  slave-trade  j it  ])rovides  tljat 
each  Government  shall  send  vessels  to  cruise  in  the  wateis  of 
Afiica,  Ameiica,  and  the  AVest  Indies,  with  jiower  to  hoard 
other  vessels  of  either  nation  susjiected  of  being  slaveis. 

'J'he  Franklin  Institute  of  the  State  of  I^ennsylvania  is  incor- 
jiorated,  20  March,  for  the  laoinotion  and  encouragement  ( f 
manufactures  and  the  inechanic  and  useful  arts.  , 

A tieat}'  between  the  U.  S.  and  Itussia  is  signed,  5 A]»iil,  1 ;) 
which  tlie  boundary  line  between  the  U.  S.  and  the  Itussiai  » 
])Ossessions  on  the  l^acilic  Coast  is  established  at  45  degrees  40 
minutes  north  latitude. 

A Ihll  pi’oiiosing  to  increase  the  duties  on  imjiorts,  after  a 
discussion  of  over  two  months,  made  memorable  by  the  great 
sjieeches  of  Henry  Clay  and  Daniel  Webster,  is  i)assed  in  the 
House  IG  Api  il;  amendments  are  made  in  the  Senate  to  which 
the  House  fails  to  agree,  but  the  diirerences  are  settled  by  a eon- 
ference  committee,  and  the  Senate  pa.sses  the  bill. 

In  accordance  with  a decree  of  the  Mexican  Government,  the 
l^rovinces  of  Texas  and  Coahuila  ai*e  united  as  one  State,  Aug. 

Gen.  L.afayette lands  on  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  15  Aug., ]>eing 
received  by  the  Vice-1  M*esieent  of  the  U.  S.;  he  is  escoi  ted  up 
to  the  city  (10)  by  a large  naval  inocession,  und  di.semharks  at 
Castle  Garden  amid  the  ringing  of  bells,  the  salutes  of  artillery, 
and  the  cheers  of  a tremendous  multitude;  at  the  City  Hall  he 
is  othcially  welcomed,  and  there,  during  his  stay,  he  holds  daily 
levees;  at  his  departure  lie  is  escoited  by  a large  body  of  trooj^s 
to  Kingsliridge,  whence  he  stai  ts  on  a tour  of  the  U.S.,  to  receive 
ovations  of  friendship  and  gratitude  at  every  step. 

In  the  Presidential  election  the  sufTraaes  of  the  peojde  are 
divided  between  four  candidates  for  the  Presidency,  viz:  John 
Quincy  Adams,  105,321;  Andiew  Jackson,  152,899;  W.  H. 
Crawford,  47,265;  and  Henry  Clay,  47,087,  equal  to  84  electoral 
votes  for  Adams,  98  for  Jackson,  41  for  Crawford,  and  37  for 
Clay;  John  C,  Calhoun  receives  for  Vice-President  182  electoral 
votes,  against  78  for  all  others;  the  electors  having  failed  to 
elect  a Ih  esident,  that  duty  will  devolve  upon  the  House  of 
Bei)resentatives. 

The  Legislature  of  New  Jersey  grants  Acts  of  incorjioration 
of  comi)anies,  31  Dec.,  authorized  to  construct  the  Delaware 
and  Kai  itan  Canal  and  the  Morris  Canal,  the  latter  to  run  fj  om 
the  Delaware  Liver  at  Phillipsburg,  opposite  Easton,  Penn.,  to 
the  Passaic  Liver,  at  Newark. 

An  institute  is  established  and  endowed  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  by 
Hon.  Stei)hen  Van  Lensselaer,  for  the  instruction  of  young  men 
in  the  apj)lication  of  mathematical  science  to  civil  engineering, 
and  in  natural  science. 

A g(‘ological  survey  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  by  Prof. 
Olmsted  attiacts  i)ublic  attention  to  the  gold-bearing  region  of 
the  State,  which  he  estimates  embraces  over  1000  acres. 

Zadoc  Piatt  jninhases  land  and  water-jiower  in  Greene 
County,  N.  Y.,  erects  a mammoth  structure  for  manufacturing 
liemlock-tanneil  leather,  and  founds  the  village  of  Prattsville, 


History  of  the  United  States.  127 

1824.  The  manufacture  of  isinglas?;  from  the  swords  of  the  hake 
fish,  for  the  use  of  cotton  manufactures,  is  begun  on  Cape  Cod, 
Mass. 

The  first  institution  in  this  country  intended  for  the  reforma- 
tion of  vicious  and  criniinal  children  is  incori)orated  under  the 
name  of  the  New  York  House  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents, the  founders  being  John  Griscoin,  Isaac  Collins,  James 
W.  Gerard,  and  Hugh  Mjixwell. 

The  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Philadelphia , is  founded. 
The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $31,898,538;  the  debt 
is  $90,209,777;  the  imports  are  $89,549,007;  and  the  exports, 
$75,986,057. 

1825.  The  House  of  Representatives  hold  an  election  for  President  of 

the  U.  S.,  9 Feb.;  Mr.  Adams  receives  the  votes  of  13  States, 
Gen.  Jackson  of  7,  and  Mr.  Crawford  of  4,  whereupon  Mr. 
Adams  is  declared  elected. 

Congress  votes  to  establish  a navy-yard  on  the  coast  of 
Florida,  3 March. 

Messrs.  Adams  and  Calhoun  are  sworn  into  olTice  as  Presi- 
dent and  Vice-President,  4 March;  the  President  makes  the  fol- 
lowing choice  for  cabinet  officers : Heniy  Clay  .Secretary  of  State ; 
Richard  Rush,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  James  Barbour,  Secre- 
tary of  War;  Samuel  L.  Southard  (continued  in  office),  Secretary 
of  the  Navy;  and  William  Wirt  (continued  in  office),  Attorney- 
General. 

The  Secretary  of  State  sends  to^Ir.  Poinsett,  the  first  American 
Minister  to  ^lexico,  20  March,  instructions  implying  that  the 
Government  contemplates  extending  its  jurisdiction  to  the  banks 
of  the  Rio  Grande. 

The  American  Unitarian  Association  is  organized  at  Boston, 
25  May. 

Ex-Vice-President  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  dies  at  Staten  Island, 
N.  Y.,  11  June. 

Gen.  Lafayette  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the  Bunker  Hill 
Monument,  and  Daniel  Webster  delivers  the  oration,  17  June. 

Ex-Presidents  John  Adams  (Quincy,  Mass.,  aged  90)  and 
Thomas  Jefferson  (Monticello,  Va.,  aged  82)  die  at  nearly  the 
same  hour,  4 July. 

A treaty  between  the  U.  S.  and  the  Indians  of  the  noith- 
Avest  Territory,  is  signed,  Aug. 

An  appropriation  of  $200,000  and  a grant  of  24,000  acres  of 
la!rl  are  made  by  Congress  to  Gen.  i/afayette;  he  sails  from 
New  York  for  home  on  the  U.  S.  frigate  Brandytcirie,  named 
after  his  first  American  battle-field,  8 Sep. 

Isaiah  Lukins,  of  Philadeljdiia,  receives  a patent  in  England 
on  his  invention  of  a surgical  instrument  for  destroying  stone 
in  the  bladder  without  cutting,  called  lithontripter,  15  Sep. 

Gen.  J;\ckson  is  nominated  for  President  by  the  Legislature 
of  Tennessee,  0 Oct. 

The  Erie  Canal  is  formally  opened,  20  Oct.,  when  the  first 
flotilla  of  canal-boats  leaves  Buffalo;  it  reaches  New  York,  4 
Nov.;  a grand  naval  procession  of  nearl}^  all  tiie  vessels  in  poit 
is  formed  and  proceeds  to  Sandy  Hook,  where  De  Witt  Clinton 


127 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1824.  The  manufacture  of  isinglass  from  the  swords  of  the  hake 
fish,  f jr  the  use  of  cotton  manufactures,  is  begun  on  Cape  Cod, 
Mass. 

The  first  institution  in  this  country  intende{l  for  tln^  reforma- 
tion of  vicious  and  criminal  children  is  incorporated  under  the 
name  of  the  New  York  House  of  Refuge  for  Juvenile  Delin- 
quents, the  founders  being  John  Griscoin,  Isaac  Collins,  Janies 
W.  Gerard,  and  Hugh  Maxwell. 

The  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Phila  1 elpbia,  is  founded. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  ai*e  ,81)8,5d8;  the  debt 
is  $90,309,777;  the  imports  are  $89,549,007;  and  the  exports, 
$75,986,057.  ^ ' 

1825.  The  House  of  Representatives  hold  an  election  for  President  of 

the  U.  S.,  9 Feb.;  Mr.  Adams  nictiives  the  votes  of  13  States, 
Gen.  Jackson  of  7,  and  Mr.  Ci-awford  of  4,  whereupon  Mr. 
Adams  is  declared  elected. 

Congress  votes  to  establish  a navy-yard  on  the  coast  of 
Florida,  3 March. 

Messrs.  Adams  and  Calhoun  are  sworn  iiito  office  as  Pi  esi- 
dent  and  Vice-President,  4 March;  the  Presideiit  makes  the  fol- 
lowing choice  for  cabinet  officers : Henry  Clay  .Secretary  of  State ; 
Riehard  Rush,  Secretary  of  the  Treasmy;  JauKJS  Harbour,  Secre- 
tary of  War;  Samuel  L.  Southard  (continued  in  office),  Secretary 
of  die  Navy;  and  William  Wirt  (continued  in  otffce),  Attorney- 
Go  iieral. 

The  Secretary  of  State  sends  to  Mr.  Poinsett,  the  first  American 
Minister  to  Mexico,  26  March,  instructions  implying  that  the 
Government  contemplates  extending  its  jurisdiction  to  the  banks 
of  the  Rio  Grande. 

The  American  Unitarian  Association  is  organized  at  Boston, 
25  May. 

Ex-Vice-Presideiit  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  dies  at  Staten  Island, 
N.  Y.,  11  June. 

Gen.  Lafayette  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the  Bunker  Hill 
Monument,  and  Daniel  Webster  delivers  the  oration,  17  June. 

The  national  ex]>enses  for  the  year  nre  $33,585,804;  the  debt 
IS  $83,788,432;  the  imports  are  $90,340,075;  and  the  exports. 
$99,535,388. 

A treaty  between  the  U.  S.  and  the  Indians  of  the  north- 
v/est  Territory,  is  signed,  Aug. 

An  appropriation  of  $200,000  and  a grant  of  24,000  acres  of 
land  are  made  by  Congress  to  Gen.  Lafayette;  he  sails  from 
New  York  for  home  on  the  U.  S.  fiigate  Brandymne^  named 
after  his  first  American  battle-field,  8 Sep. 

Isaiah  Lukins,  of  Philadel])hia,  receives  a patent  in  P7ngland 
on  his  invention  of  a surgical  instrument  for  destroying  stone 
in  the  bladder  without  cutting,  (‘aile<l  iUh<mtripter , 15  Sep. 

Gen.  Jackson  is  nominated  for  President  by  the  Legislature 
of  Tennessee,  6 Oct. 

The  Erie  Canal  is  formally  opened,  26  Oct , when  the  first 
flotilla  of  canal-boats  leaves  Buffalo;  it  reaches  New  \fork.  4 
Vov. ; a grand  naval  procession  of  3ieariy  all  tiie  vessels  iii  port 

formed  and  proceeds  tc  Sauu}  aoui..,  wnere  Jiiotorj 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1825.  pours  a of  water  from  Lake  Erie  into  tiie  ocean ; tlio  event 
is  also  celebrated  in  New  York  by  a civic  ])roc(‘ssion  neaily  five 
miles  lon^,  a inagnilicent  display  of  fireworks,  and  a g eneral 
illumination. 

Commodore  jMcDonougb,  the  liero  of  Lake  (‘luimplain,  di(‘S, 
10  Nov. 

Yhe  first  ])(‘rformance  of  Italian  opera  in  the  V.  S.  is  jriven  at 
New  York,  20  Nov. 

President  Adams  sends  a confidential  messa^v  lo  Congress, 
20  Dec.,  in  wbieli  Ik^  announces  that  lie  lias  aeei'ptcal  ibe  invi- 
tation to  send  Commissioners  to  tin*  projiosed  Panama  C nba-- 
ence,  believing  that  it  might  be  advisable  n*  s(‘ttle  the  ijnestion 
wlietber  the  security  of  rejaiblican  ii,stitntioi:s  does  not  r(‘(pnro 
the  parties  to  prevent  any  European  pow(  i-  1m  ni  establisliing  a 
colony  within  the  borders  of  the  parties;  he  also  nominates 
Richard  C.  Anderson,  of  Ky.,  and  John  Seigi'anf,  of  I'enn.,  as 
Commissiomas,  and  W.  lb  Rochester,  of  N.  Y.,  as  SecixJary 
of  the  Commissioners. 

Yhe  ditficulty  between  the  Government,  the  Creek  Indians, 
and  the  State  authorities  of  Georgia  is  settled  by  a treaty 
between  the  two  first,  by  which  the  Indians  agree  to  exchange 
the  land  they  claim  in  Georgia  for  an  equal  quantity  bevond 
the  Mississippi,  and  to  remove  thither. 

''Phe  German  Reformed  Theological  School,  at  Merccrsbiirg, 
Penn.,  the  Gettysburg  (Penn.)  Tlieological  Seminary  (Lutheran), 
and  the  Law  School  of  the  university  of  Virginia,  at  Charlottes- 
ville, are  founded. 

Ex-Presidents  John  Adams  (Quincy,  Mass.,  aged  90)  and 
Thomas  JetTerson  (Monticello,  Va.,  aged  82)  die  at  nearly  the 
same  hour,  4 July. 

i82ti.  Eli  Whitney,  inventor  of  the  cotton  gin,  and  one  of  the  most 
eminent  mechanics  of  his  age,  dies  8 Jan.,  aged  59. 

The  Senate  Coinmirtee  to  whom  the  President’s  Panama  mes- 
sage was  referred,  report  adversely  to  the  proposed  mission,  16 
Jan.;  after  a lengthy  debate,  the  Committee’s  resolution  of 
inexpediency  is  lost,  14  March,  and  the  nominations  are  ( on- 
firmed;  a bill  providing  for  the  expenses  of  ihe  mission  is 
jiassed,  22  April.  The  conference  assembles  at  Panama,  22  June, 
and  closes  its  session  15  July,  with  a treaty  of  league  and  friend- 
slf.p;  the  delay  caused  by  the  discussions  in  Congress  prevents 
the  U.  S.  being  represented  in  the  conference. 

It  is  claimed  that  the  treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians  last  year 
was  procured  by  illegal  nieans;  the  conflict  between  the  Federal 
and  State  Governments  is  reopened;  and  the  relations  between 
Gov.  Trouji  and  Gen.  Gaines  grow  warlike;  a new  treaty  is 
obtained,  24  Jan.,  satisfactory  to  the  Indians,  by  which  they 
relinquish  nearly  all  their  land  in  Georgia;  Gov.  Troup  main- 
tains an  agitation  throughout  the  year. 

The  New  England  Society  for  the  promotion  of  manufactures 
and  the  nKudianic  arts,  organized  by  citizens  of  Boston,  is 
chartered,  J March. 

Mr.  Van  Hens8(4aer,  N.  Y.,  presents  a report  in  Congress 
strongly  favoiing  the  encouragement  by  legislative  measures 


Jamhs  Buchaxan. 


Axdreav  Johnson. 


J.  A.  Oarftktd. 


129 


Hisiory  of’  the  Vmted  States  ^ 

1826.  of  the  planting  of  mulberry  trees  and  the  breeding  of  silk 
worms,  2 May. 

The  American  Home  Missionary  Soeiety  is  organized  in  New 
York,  10  May. 

William  Morgan,  of  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  having  written  for  publi- 
cation a work  alleged  to  contain  an  exposure  of  Free-Masoiiry, 
is  arrested  on  a criminal  process  and  taken  to  Canandaigua, 
wliere  he  is  imprisoned;  he  is  released,  12  Sep.,  and  forcibly 
taken  to  the  Niagara  frontier,  where  he  is  last  seen;  the  ^‘ab- 
duction ” creates  intense  excitement  thimighout  the  country; 
rewards  are  offered  in  vain  for  the  discovery  of  Morgan  tilive, 
or  if  murdered,  of  the  offenders ; an  anti-Mason  party  is  formed 
and  has  a rapid  spread. 

William  Charles  Macready,  the  English  tragedian,  appears 
for  the  fh’st  time  in  the  U.  S.,  at  New  York,  2 Oct. 

The  first  railroad  constructed  in  the  U.  S.  with  metallic  ^ 
tracks  is  opened  7 Oct.;  it  extends  from  the  granite  quarries  at 
Quincy,  Mass.,  to  tidewater  on  the  Nepouset  River,  a distance 
of  3 miles. 

A treaty  for  the  indemnity  of  American  citizens  is  signed 
between  the  U.  S.  and  Great  Britain,  13  Nov. 

An  attempt  is  made  in  Texas  to  renounce  Mexican  authority 
and  proclaim  the  p>rovince  a Republic  under  the  name  of 
Fredonia. 

The  total  capital  now  employed  in  American  manufactures 
is  estimated  at  $156,500,000,  of  which  $30,000,000  are  credited 
to  Pennsylvania,  $28,000,000  to  New  York,  and  $26,000,000  to 
Massachusetts;  this  includes  every  species  of  manufactures 
except  food,  in  which  the  capital  is  estimated  at  $200,000,000. 

The  power-loom,  for  weaving  wire,  is  invented  by  John  S 
Gastin,  of  N.  Y. 

Kenyon  College,  Gambler,  0.,  the  Newton  (Mass.)  Theologi- 
cal Institute  (Bajjtist),  and  Western  Reserve  College,  Hudson, 
O.,  are  founded. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $24,103,398;  the  debt 
is  $81,054,059;  the  imports  are  $89,974,477;  and  the  exports, 
$77,595,322. 

1827.  A body  of  disaffected  Texans  have  a skirmish  with  Government 

troops  and  rout  them,  4 Jan.;  the  Mexicans  form  an  alliance 
with  the  Indians  to  subdue  the  Texan  revolutionists  and  estab- 
lish garrisons  throughout  the  province. 

The  famous  Switcliback  railroad  at  Mauch  Chunk,  Penn.,  for 
the  transportation  by  gravity  of  coal  from  the  summit  mines  to 
the  landing  on  the  Lehigh,  is  completed,  8 Jan. 

A portion  of  the  members  of  some  of  the  American  Yearly 
Meetings  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  set  up  a distinct  association 
under  the  leadership  of  Elias  Hicks,  21  April,  and  are  dis- 
tinguished from  the  Orthodox  Friends  by  the  name  of  Hicksites. 

In  view  of  the  depressed  condition  of  the  woolen  trade  and 
other  industries,  the  Pennsylvania  Society  for  the  promotion  of 
manufactures  and  the  mechanic  arts,  14  May,  call  a general 
industrial  convention  to  be  held  in  Harrisburg,  30  July;  the 
convention  is  attended  by  95  delegates  from  13  States;  Joseph 
Sitner,  Penn.,  is  chosen  president;  Jesse  Buel,  N.Y.  andFrisby 


^‘>0  Ilistory  of  the  United  States, 

1887  Tilghman,  Md.,  vice-presidents,  and  William  Ilalsted,  Jr,,  N. 
J.,  and  Kedwood  Fisher,  Penn.,  secretaries;  coinrnittc<‘S  are 
appointed  to  pre[)are  a memorial  to  Congi-ess,  an  adress  to  the 
citizens  of  the  IJ.  8.  and  papers  on  the  condition  of  the  manu- 
facturing indnsti-ies. 

Albert  Gallatin,  who  was  sent  as  Minister  to  Gnait  Ihitain 
last  year,  for  the  jairpose  of  ejecting  a better  iiiKha standing 
between  that  country  and  this  concerning  the  AVest  Indian 
trade,  concludes  a treaty  at  London,  0 Aug. 

ddie  suhj(H  tof  a general  revision  of  tlie  tarifT  is  brought  Indore 
Congress,  31  and  a resolution  adopted  autlMuizing  tin; 

Committee  on  Manufactures  to  send  for  ])ersons  and  papeis. 

A general  conference  of  the  Freewill  Paidist  Chiu  c h is  organ- 
ized as  an  annual  session. 

Washington  Medical  Colleo’e,  Baltimore,  and  the  Medical 
School  of'  the  University  of  Virginia,  Charlottesville,  are 
founded, 

Joseph  Smith,  Jr.,  of  Palmyra,  N.  1.,  begins  to  assert 
claims  as  the  foundei*  of  a new  Christian  sect  called  the 
“Cimreh  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints,”  and  the 
discoverer  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  a continuation  of  tlie  Old 
Testament  records. 

John  M(‘ Clintic,  of  Chambersburg,  Penn.,  invents  the  first 
practical  contrivance  for  mortising  and  tenoning. 

The  first  bell  made  fi‘om  blisteied  bar  steel  melted  is  turned 
out  in  New  York,  and  pronounced  equal  in  sound  to  comi>osi- 
tion  bells. 

Artists  and  materials  are  sent  from  England  to  stait  tlie  l-rst 
lithographic  establishment  in  the  U.  S.,  at  Boston. 

The  total  salt  product  of  the  U.  S.  for  the  year  is  estimated  at 
4,151,182  bushels,  of  which  1,104,452  are  credited  to  New  York, 
and  929,848  to  Virginia. 

The  American  Minister  is  authorized  to  offer  the  Mexican 
Government  $1,000,000  for  the  establishment  of  a boundary 
line  between  the  highlands  of  the  Neuces  and  the  Ido  Grande. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $22,656,704;  the  debt 
is  $73,987,357;  the  imxjorts  are  $79,484,068;  and  the  exports, 
$S2„324,727. 

1828.  Idle  controversy  between  the  Federal  Government  and  the  State 
authorities  of  Georgia  is  finally  settled  early  in  Jan.  by  a treaty 
with  the  Creek  Indians  for  the  iDurchase  of  the  remaining  strip 
of  their  land  in  that  State. 

A treaty  with  Mexico  is  signed,  1%  Jan.,  establishing  a bound- 
ary line. 

The  Congressional  Committee  on  Manufactures,  to  whom  was 
referred  the  subject  of  a general  revision  of  tlie  tariff,  submit 
a repoit,  21  Jan.,  with  a bill  altering  the  Acts  imposing  duties 
on  imports;  the  chief  articles  on  which  lieavy  protect ive  duties 
are  laid  arci  woolen  and  cotton  fabrics;  the  debate  on  the  bill 
begins  in  the  House  3 March,  and  closes  22  April,  the  mcnibeis 
from  the  Middle  and  Western  Free  States  supporting  the  bill, 
and  those  from  the  Cotton  States  with  a majority  of  those  from 
New  England  oiiposing  it;  in  the  Senate  a few  amendments  are 
made,  and  the  bill  becomes  law,  15  May, 


Hist  or  %f  of  the  United  States,  131 

il82d  De  Witt  Clinton,  popularly  considered  the  ‘‘  Father  of  the 
Erie  Canal,’'  dies  11  Feb. 

The  first  wool  sale  ever  held  in  the  U.  S.  takes  place  at 
Boston,  10  June,  when  1536  bales  of  Saxony,  Spanlsli,  and 
other  foreign  and  American  wool,  amounting  to  400,000  pounds, 
are  sold  for  nearly  $300,000. 

Rev.  E.  Burt, of  Conn.,  receives  a patent  for  the  first  Ameri- 
can power-loom  for  weaving  check  and  plaid  goods,  19  Aug. 

At  the  Exhibition  of  tiie  fch-auklin  Institute,  Phila.,  8-16  Oct., 
a premium  is  awarded  to  Seth  Boyden,  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  for  an 
assortment  of  buckles,  bits,  and  other  goods  of  annealed  cast 
iron;  this  is  the  first  time  tliat  annealed  cast  iron  has  been  used 
for  such  purposes  in  the  IJ.  S. 

The  gubernatorial  election  in  New  York  is  rendered  unusually 
exciting  by  the  appearance  of  a strong  anti-Masonic  party  in 
the  held;  Francis  Granger  receives  the  nomination  of  that  party 
for  Governor,  and  John  Crary  that  for  Lieutenant-Governor; 
subsequently  Mr.  Granger  declines,  and  Solomon  Southwick  is 
substituted;  the  Adams  party  nominates  Judge  Smith  Thomp- 
son, of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  for  Governor,  and  Mr.  Gran- 
ger for  Lieutenant-Governor;  the  Jackson  party  nominates 
Martin  Van  Buren  for  Governor,  and  Enos  T.  Throop  for  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor; in  the  election  Mr.  Van  Buren  receives  136,- 
794  votes,  Judge  Thompson,  106,444,  and  Mr.  Southwick, 
33,345. 

For  the  Presidential  campaign,  the  Adams  party  renominates 
the  President,  with  Richard  Rush,  of  Penn.,  for  Vice-President; 
while  the  Democrats  name  Andrew  Jackson  for  President, with 
John  C.  Calhoun  for  Vice-President;  Jackson  and  Calhoun 
receive  650,028  popular  and  178  electoral  votes,  and  Adams  and 
Rush,  512,159  popular  and  83  electoral,  William  Smith,  for  V.  P., 
7;  Jackson  and  Calhoun  are  declared  elected. 

The  Western  Theological  Seminary  (Pres.),  at  Alleghany, 
Penn.,  is  founded. 

William  Howard,  of  Baltimore,  receives  the  first  American 
patent  for  a locomotive  engine. 

P.  B.  Smith,  of  New  York,  begins  the  manufacture  of  varnish 
for  general  purposes. 

William  Woodworth,  of  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  takes  out  a patent 
for  the  first  machine  for  planing,  tongueing,  grooving,  and 
cutting  boards. 

The  introduction  of  a superior  grade  of  cotton  raised  on  the 
Sea  Islands,  off  the  Carolina  coast,  creates  considerable  excite- 
ment, and  large  sums  of  money  are  offered  the  grower  for  his 
secret. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $25,459,479; the  debt 
is  $67,475,043;  the  imports  are  $88,509,824;  and  the  exports, 
$72,264,686. 

1829.  The  Legislatures  of  Georgia  and  Soutli  Carolina  send  protests  to 
Congress  against  the  Tariff  Act  of  the  preceding  session,  pro- 
nouncing it  unconstitutional  and  ruinous  to  commerce  and  agri- 
culture. 

The  cotton  manufacturers  of  Phila.  hold  a meeting,  3 


132 


History  of  ihe  United  States. 

1829,  and  decide  to  open  one  or  more  private  houses  for  the  5ale  ol 
their  goods,  instead  of  selling  them  off  by  auction. 

The  House  Committee  to  whom  were  nffcrred  the  resolutions 
relative  to  the  disposition  of  the  ])ublic  lands,  report,  25  Feb., 
opposing  a division  of  the  lands  among  the  States,  and  recom- 
mending a distribution  of  the  net  ])roce(‘ds  of  the  s<ales  of  public 
lands  among  the  States  in  the  ratio  of  their  pojadation;  the 
amount  of  public  land  to  which  the  Government  still  holds  the 
right  of  soil  is  stated  to  be  over  1000  millions  of  acres. 

Gen.  Jackson  is  inaugurated  sev(*nth  Pi  esident  of  the  IT.  S., 
4 March;  he  selects  his  Cabinet  officers  as  follows:  Martin  Van 
Buren,  N.  Y.,  Secretary  of  State;  Samuel  I).  Ingham,  IN'iin., 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  John  Branch,  N.  C.,  Secretary  of 
the  Navy;  John  McP.  Berrien,  Ga.,  Attorney-General;  and 
William  T.  Bany,  Ky.  (new  ca])inet  office).  Postmaster^ 
General.  In  his  inaugural  the  President  pledges  himself  to  an 
administration  of  reform. 

During  the  summer  the  President  makes  a large  number  of 
icmovals  from  office,  including  nearly  500  ]iostmasters. 

The  American  Institute  of  the  State  of  New  York  is  incor- 
porated, 2 May,  for  the  i)urj)Oseof  encouraging  domestic  indus- 
try in  the  State  and  the  U.  S.,  in  agriculture,  commerce,  manu- 
factures, and  the  arts;  it  holds  its  first  annual  fair  in  Castle 
Garden,  in  Nov. 

Sam  Patch,  who  has  made  successful  leaps  at  Passaic  Falls 
and  Niagara,  is  killed,  13  Nov.,  while  jumping  the  Genesee 
Falls,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

The  first  Session  of  the  21st  Congress  opens  7 Dec.,  both 
Houses  having  an  administration  majority;  the  power  of  the 
President  to  make  removals  from  office  except  for'  cause  is 
vigorously  debated. 

Louis  McLane  is  appointed  Minister  to  England;  William  Cc 
Rives  to  Spain;  and  Thomas  P.  Moore  to  Colombia 

Among  the  public  institutions  founded  tliis  year  are  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Institution  for  the  Instruction  of  the  Blind;  the  Ohio 
State  Institution  for  the  Blind;  Georgetowm  (Ky.)  College;  the 
Auburn  (N.  Y.)  Theological  Seminary  (Pres.);  Lane  Seminary 
(Pres.),  Cincinnati;  and  the  Theological  Department  of  the  St. 
Louis  (Mo.)  University  (R.  C.). 

Dr.  John  W.  Revere,  of  New  York,  perfects  a process  for 
galvanizing  iron. 

Hamilton  Stewart  begins  the  manufacture  of  damask  table 
Mnen  in  Phila.,  in  Dec. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  is  held  at  Princeton,  Ky. 

Prof.  Hitchcock,  of  Amherst,  Mass.,  makes  the  first  discovery 
of  tin  in  the  U.  S.,  at  Goshen,  Conn. 

James  Conant  inalces  the  first  successful  attemj^t  in  the  U.  S. 
to  manufacture  sewing-silk  by  machinery,  at  Mansfield,  Mass. 

Jdie  national  expenses  for  the  year  ave  $25,044,358;  the  del)! 
i«  $58,421,413;  the  imports  are  $74,492,527;  and  the 
$72,358,071. 


133 


Ihstorij  of  tiic  C'Mted  States. 

1830.  A resolution  introduced  by  Mr.  Foot,  in  the  Senate,  directing 
an  inquiry  into  the  expediency  of  limiting  the  sales  of  public 
lands,  leads  to  a five  month’s  debate,  during  which  Mr.  llayne, 
of  S.  C.,  in  replying  to  Mr.  Webster,  announces  the  nullification 
doctrine. 

The  House  committee  on  ways  and  means,  to  whom  was  referred 
tlie  part  of  the  President’s  message  opi:>osing  a second  time  the 
renewal  of  the  charter  of  the  U.  8.  Bank,  submits,  through  Mr. 
JM  Dufiie,  of  S.  C.,  an  elaborate  report  opposing  the  President’s 
views;  in  response  to  a resolution,  the  finance  committee  of  the 
Senate,  reporting  on  the  expediency  of  establishing  a uniform 
national  currency  for  the  U.  S.,  declares  the  objections  to  the 
president’s  proposed  government  bank  insuperable  and  fatal,  and 
tlie  scheme  impracticable. 

The  President  vetoes  a bill  authorizing  the  government  to 
subscribe  to  the  stock  of  the  Maysville  and  Lexington  (Ky.) 
turnpike  road,  holding  that  to  justify  an  appropriation  for  in- 
ternal im})rovement  the  object  must  be  one  of  common  defense, 
and  of  a general  and  national,  hot  a local  or  State  benefit ; Mr. 
Polk  asserts  that  by  this  single  act  the  President  has  done 
more  than  any  man  in  the  country,  for  the  last  thirty  years,  to 
})]-eserve  the  constitution;  failing  to  obtain  a two-thirds  vote 
tlie  bill  is  rejected. 

In  Ins  annual  message  (Dec.),  the  President  gives  at  greater 
length  his  objections  to  the  prevailing  system  of  internal  im- 
provements, and  suggests  the  propriety  of  a general  plan  by 
which  an  equal  distiibution  of  the  surplus  revenues  should  be 
made  among  the  several  States,  to  be  used  for  purposes  of  in- 
ternal improvement ; he  places  the  expenditures  heretofore 
made  for  internal  improvements  at  upwards  of  $5,000,000,  and 
estimates  the  cost  of  works  partially  and  enthely  surveyed 
and  projected  at  $96,000,000  ; a harbor  improvement  bill  is 
introduced  early  in  the  session  and  passes  by  large  majorities  ; 
the  Piesident  signs  it  together  with  other  bills  of  a like  charac- 
ter, making  large  appropriations  for  the  improvement  of  roads 
and  rivers,  and  for  a light-house  system. 

Attorney-General  Berrien,  in  an  opinion  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment, maintains,  on  the  authority  of  decisions  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  that  the  right  of  the  Cherokee  Indians  to  the  disputed 
lands  in  Georgia  is  one  of  occupancy  merely;  a bill  to  provide 
for  ‘^an  exchange  of  lands  within  any  of  the  States  or  Territor- 
ies,  and  for  their  removal  west  of  the  rivei  Mississippi,’'  is  le. 
ported  by  the  committee  on  Indian  affairs  of  each  House  and 
adopted ; the  sum  of  $500,000  is  appropriated  to  carry  the  pro- 
visions of  the  bill  into  effect.  The  Secretary  of  War  and  Gen. 
Coffee  sign  a treaty  with  the  Choctaw  Indians  by  which  tiie 
latter  agee  to  cede  their  lands  and  remove  beyond  the  Missis- 
sippi within  tliree  years.  The  Cherokees  determine  not  to  emi- 
grate, and  issue  an  appeal  to  the  public,  complaining  of  the  in- 
fringements upon  their  rights  by  the  State  of  Georgia  and  of 
tlie  lack  of  government  protection;  they  engage  William  Wiit 
as  legal  counsel,  and  he  attempts  to  establish  their  rights  by 
making  a case,  by  consent,  before  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court; 
Gov.  Gilmer  declines;  the  State  auttonties  grow  bolder;  Georgi 


134  History  of  the  (Inited:  iStates, 

1830.  Tassels,  an  Indian,  is  tried,  convicted  of  murder,  and  sentenced 
to  be  hanged,  by  the  State  oHieials ; a writ  of  error  is  obtained 
from  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  ordering  the  State  to  show  cause 
why  tlie  judgment  should  not  be  corrected;  the  State  Legislature 
enjoins  all  State  officers  to  disregard  the  mandate,  and  author- 
izes the  Governor  to  order  the  slieritf  to  proceed  with  the  execu- 
tion; the  Indian  is  accordingly  hanged. 

A treaty  is  signed  between  the  U.  S.  and  Turkey.  Yale  Col- 
lege erects  the  first  astronomical  telescope  in  the  U.  S.  Chai  les 
Kean,  the  English  actor,  makes  his  American  cUbut  in  New 
York  City.  Joseph  Smith  publishes  Kev.  Solomon  Spaulding’^ 
religious  romance  as  a revelation  and  founds  the  Mormon  setT. 
Georgia  sends  her  first  contribution  of  native  gold  to  the  U.  S. 
mint.  The  town  of  Chicago  is  laid  out  and  lots  are  ofTered  for 
sale.  Chaileston,  S.  C.,  has  the  honor  of  opening  the  first 
American  steam  railroad  line  to  travel  and  trallic.  Some  Indi- 
ans of  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes  commit  a series  of  deiiredations 
upon  the  whites  near  the  mouth  of  llock  Kiver,  Illinois,  which 
leads  to  a treaty  between  the  government  and  Keokuk,  their 
chief,  by  which  the  Indians  agree  to  remove  beyond  the  Miss- 
issippi. President  Jackson  is  renominated  for  the  Presidency 
by  friends  in  the  New  York  Legislature.  The  first  section  of 
the  Paitimore  and  Ohio  railroad  is  opened  for  business.  The 
first  Fourdi-inier  machine  built  in  the  U.  S.  is  turned  out  at 
Windham,  Conn.  The  Louisville  and  Portland  Canal,  tiround 
the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  is  opened  (5  Dec.),  at  a cost  of  $750,000. 

In  accordance  with  special  instructions,  Mr.  McLane,  the  new 
minister  to  England,  re-opens  the  discussion  with  Great  Britain 
concerning  the  colonial  trade,  and  effects  an  an-angerneiit  by 
which  she  will  open  the  ports  of  her  West  India  and  other 
American  colonial  possessions  to  the  vessels  of  the  U.  S.  and 
their  cargoes  on  equal  terms  with  her  own  sailing  from  the  U. 
S.,  and  will  permit  U.  S.  vessels  to  export  from  her  colonies  to 
any  country  except  the  British  dominions,  on  the  same  terms 
as  British  vessels;  the  President  issues  a proclamation  announc- 
ing the  arrangements  (5  Octobej’). 

Josep'h  Dixon  begins  the  manufacture  of  lead  pencils  in  tl  e 
U.  8.,  at  Salem,  Mass.  The  omnibus  makes  its  first  appearance 
in  New  York  City.  John  Kandolph  is  appointed  minister  to 
Kussia,  succeeding  Henry  Middleton.  John  C.  Calhoun,  Vice- 
President,  initiates  an  acrimonious  controversy  with  the  Presi- 
dent concerning  the  latter’s  conduct  during  the  Seminole  war. 

James  II.  Peck,  Judge  of  the  U.  S.  District  Court  for  the 
District  of  Missouri,  is  impeached  for  alleged  abuse  of  judicial 
authority  and  is  acquitted;  as  a result  of  this  trial  a law  is 
passed  restricting  the  power  of  judges,  in  punishing  for  con- 
tempt  of  court,  to  cases  of  misbehavior  in  the  presence  of 
courts,  or  so  near  them  as  to  obstruct  the  administration  of 
justices,  and  also  to  the  official  misbehavior  of  officers  of  the 
courts.  Tlui  l^resident  eflects  a wholesale  discharge  of  govern- 
ment officials. 

4’lie  first  National  imlitical  Convention  ever  held  (the  Anti- 
Masonic)  meets  at  Philadelphia,  presided  over  by  Francis 
Granger, 


135 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1830.  The  national  expenses  for  the  year  ainonnt  ^^4,5852‘81, 
the  debt  is  $48,505,406,  the  value  of  imports  aggregates 
$70,876,920,  and  of  exports,  $73,849,508. 

1331.  The  President's  ea])inet  is  dissolved  by  resignations,  and  the 
following  sueee«;soi'S  are  appointed:  Edvvaid  Livingsto'i,  of  La., 
Secretaiy  of  State;  Louis  McLane,  of  Del.,  S ^eretary  of  the 
Treasury;  Lewis  Cass,  of  O.,  Secretary  of  War ; Levi  Wood- 
bury, of  N.  H.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  Koger  R.  d'aney,  of 
Md.,  Attorney-General;  William  T.  Rai-ry,  of  Ivy.,  r(^-ap[>oiiited 
Postmaster-General.  Mr.  Eaton,  Ex-Secretary  of  Wbir  is  a])- 
pointed  Governor  of  Florida,  and  Martin  Van  Buren,  Ex-Secre- 
tary  of  State,  Minister  to  Phiglan>l;  on  the  confirmation  of  Mr. 
Van  Buren  tlie  Senate  is  a tie;  Vice-President  Calhoun  casts  a 
decisive  negative  vote. 

Ex-President  James  Monroe  dies  (4th  July). 

Virginia  and  Louisiana  opened  their  first  railroads.  Fayette- 
ville, N.  C.,  is  destro3'ed  by  fire.  The  State  of  Pennsylvania 
completes  a great  work  of  internal  improvement  embracing  the 
construction  of  118  miles  of  railroad,  277  miles  of  canals,  and  a 
series  of  inclined  planes,  at  a cost  of  over  $12,000,000.  d’he 
Morris  Canal  connecting  Newark,  N.  J.,  with  the  Delaware 
River  is  opened.  The  Charleston,  S.  C.,  railroad  makes  the 
first  application  of  four-wheeled  trucks  to  its  cars.  The  Uni- 
versity of  the  City  of  New  York  is  established. 

The  negroes  in  the  Southern  part  of  Virginia  break  out  hi 
insurrection  and  murder  over  fifty  whites  ; Virginia  and  Nort>. 
Carolina  State  troons  crush  the  insurrection  and  capture  th^ 
leaders. 

The  case  of  the  Cherokee  Indians  approaches  a crisis  ; tin 
last  act  of  the  Georgia  Legislature  makes  it  a misdemeanor  foJ 
white  men  to  reside  within  the  limits  of  the  Cherokee  nation 
after  1 March,  without  a license  from  the  Governor  and  with- 
out having  taken  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  State;  Dr.  But  let 
and  Rev.  Messrs.  Worcester  and  Thompson,  Presbyterian  mis- 
sionaries, and  two  Methodist  ministers  have  been  arrested  under 
the  act;  ten  white  i^ersons  have  been  indicted,  tried,  and  sen- 
tenced to  four  years  imprisonment;  Gov.  Gilmer  pardons  all 
but  Dr.  Butler  and  Mr.  Worcester,  on  receiving  assurance  that 
they  would  not  again  violate  the  laws;  Dr.  Butler  is  conveyed 
to  jail  ill  chains;  Mr.  Worcester  applies  to  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court  for  lle]i<;f. 

The  Auti-Masonic  Convention  in  Baltimore  (Sep.)  nomin- 
ates WiHia-n  Wirt,  of  Md.,  for  President,  and  Amos  Ellmaker, 
of  Pa.,  for  Vice-l^resi  lent,  the  fii’st  nomination  ever  made  by  a 
National  Conv  dion.  The  Convention  of  National  Republic  ans 
at  Baltimore  (12  Dec.)  nominates  Henry  Clay,  of  Ky.,  for  Presi- 
ident,  and  John  Sergeant,  of  Pa.,  for  Vice-President. 

The  first  session  of  the  22d  Congress  opens  (5  Dec.);  the 
Senate  has  an  opposition  majority  ; in  the  House,  Speaker 
Stevenson,  the  adininistration  candidate,  is  re-elected  by  a 
single  vote.  For  a third  time  the  President  attacks  the  U.  S. 
Bank  in  his  message.  A number  of  propositions  are  submitted 
in  relation  to  the  disposal  of  the  public  lands,  but  none  receives 
a final  and  favorable  action  in  both  houses. 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1831.  The  national  ex])enses  for  tlie  year  amount  to  $30,038,445, 
tlie  debt  is  $30,124,191,  tiie  value  of  iinpoj  ts  aggregates  $103, 
191,124,  and  of  cxpoits,  $81,310,583. 

1832.  The  Asiatic  eliolera  makes  its  lirst  ai)pearance  in  the  U.  S. 

llemy  R.  ScliooJcraft  discoveres  the  source  of  the  Mississipia 
river  'svhile  on  an  exploring  ex])edition.  Hoise  ears  ])(*gin 
running  on  the  streets  of  New  York.  Charles  and  Fanny 
Kemble  make  their  theatrical  cUhui  in  America  at  New  York. 

d'he  case  of  Rev.  Mr.  Worcester  against  the  State  of  Georgia 
is  decided  by  the  U.  8.  Supreme  Court ; the  laws  of  that  State 
under  which  possession  liad  been  taken  of  the  Cherokee  coun- 
try and  i)ersons  had  been  punished  for  residing  therein,  are 
declared  to  be  contrary  to  the  constitution,  ti  eaties,  and  laws  of 
the  U.  S.;  Mr.  Worcester  is  ordered  by  a special  mandate  from 
this  coiu't  to  the  Superior  Court  of  Georgia  to  be  discharger!; 
the  mandate  is  disregarded  and  the  missionaries  are  kept  in 
prison  without  any  hope  of  liberation  before  another  session  (.1 
the  Supreme  Court,  next  year. 

Rrigham  Young  joins  the  Moitnons  at  Kiilland,  0.,  with  his 
father,  four  brothers,  and  six  sistr  rs. 

The  first  Democratic  National  Convention  meets  in  Baltimorr* 
(May),  and  re-nominates  Gen.  Jackson  for  President,  and 
names  Martin  Van  Buren,  of  N.  Y.,  for  Vice-President. 

Gen.  Santa  Anna  places  himself  at  the  head  of  the  garrison 
of  Vera  Cruz,  Mex.,  and  attempts  to  re-organize  the  ministry; 
taking  the  field  against  Bustamente  he  wages  an  irregidai*  war 
for  nearly  a year;  at  an  armistance  it  is  agreed  to  recall  Presi- 
dent Pedraza  from  exile  and  place  him  in  the  cai)ital. 

Randolph-Macon  College,  Boydtown,  Va.,  is  established. 
James  Gordon  Bennett  issues  the  first  number  of  the  New  York 
Globe,  (29  Oct.) 

Black  Hawk  repudiates  the  treaty  made  with  Keokuk,  and 
gathers  the  Winnebagoes,  Sacs,  and  Foxes  for  further  depreda- 
tions; they  recross  the  Mississippi  river,  spread  rapidly  over  the 
country,  destro^dng  the  villages  and  killing  the  white  settlers  ; 
Gens.  Atkinson  and  Scott  are  charged  with  the  defence  of  the 
frontier;  after  embarking  at  Buffalo  cholera  breaks  out  among 
Gen.  Scott’s  troops,  and  they  are  unable  to  co-operate  with  Gen. 
Atkinson;  Gen.  Atkinson  reaches  Black  Hawk’s  encampment, 
and  after  a series  of  sharp  engagements  disperses  the  Indians 
and  takes  Black  Hawk  and  a number  ^ leading  braves  pris-| 
oners.  ^ 

The  States  Rights  Party  in  South  Carolina  hold  a convention 
at  Columbia  (19  Nov.) ; they  issue  an  ordinance  in  the  name 
of  the  ])eo])le,  declaring  that  Congress  has  exceeded  its  protect- 
ive duties,  that  the  Acts  should  from  that  time  be  null  and  void, 
and  it  that  is  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  and  the  State  Court, 
to  take  ])i  ompt  measures  to  prevent  their  operation  after  1 Feb., 
1833  ; five  days  later  the  friends  of  the  convention  in  the  same 
])lac(5Sol(;innly  i)rotest  against  the  ordinance;  Gov.  Hamilton  ap- 
prov(!S  the  ordinance  in  his  message;  he  recommends  the  re- 
organization of  the  inilitiM,  that  ne  be  allowed  to  accept 
volunteers,  and  that  provision  ]>o  made  for  i)rocuring  heavy 
ordnance  and  other  munitions  ot‘  war;  the  President  issues  a 


137 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1832.  proclamation  (10  Dec.),  asserting  that  the  laws  of  the  U.  S- 
must  be  executed,  and  appealing  to  the  patriotism  of  S.  (J.  to 
retrace  her  steps,  and  to  the  country  to  rally  in  defense  of  the 
Uuion;  the  proclamation  has  a favorable  reception,  but  docs 
not  arrest  the  preparations  for  war ; the  government  takes 
steps  to  maintain  its  laws. 

A further  treaty  is  made  at  Payne’s  Landing,  Fla,,  with  the 
Seininoles,  by  which  they  agree  to  give  up  all  their  reservations 
and  to  conditionally  remove. 

Prof.  Morse  begins  the  series  of  experiments  which  result  in 
the  magnetic  telegraph. 

A bill  originating  in  the  House,  making  appropriations  for 
certain  internal  improvements  for  the  year,  passes  both  bodies 
and  is  signed  by  the  President  notwithstanding  his  frequent 
objections  to  the  system  of  internal  improvement;  the  sums 
appropriated  for  about  fifty  objects  aggregate  $1,200,000;  a:r 
other  bill  making  appropriations  for  certain  harbors  also  passes 
both  bodies,  but  the  President  retains  it,  without  signing,  until 
after  the  adjournment. 

A newtariff  act  passes  at  this  session;  Mr.  M’Dutfie,  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  ways  and  means,  reports  (8  Feb.)  in  con- 
formity  with  the  views  of  the  opponents  of  protection;  it  favors 
a general  system  of  ad  v jlorem  duties,  and  proposes  a reduction 
of  duties  to  a standard  deemed  necessary  for  the  i:)urpose  of 
revenue,  after  the  payment  of  the  public  debt;  in  compliance 
with  a resolution,  Mr.  McLane,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
makes  another  report  (27  April),  with  a bill  proposing  several 
specific  reductions  and  a general  reduction  to  an  aggregate 
sum  equal  to  the  expenses  of  the  government;  Mr.  McLane’s 
bill  passes  both  houses  after  modifications  in  each. 

A new  apportionment  of  members  of  the  House  of  Kepresenta- 
tives  under  the  fifth  census  is  made.  In  the  Presidential  election 
Gen.  Jackson  receives  219  electoral  votes;  Henry  Clay,  49;  and 
William  Wirt,  7 ; for  Vice-President,  Van  Buren  receives  189; 
Sergeant^  49;  30  Pennsylvania  electors  vote  for  William  Wilkins 
(Pa.)  for  Vice-President,  and  the  eleven  votes  of  South  Carolina 
go  for  John  Floyd  (Va.)  and  Henry  Lee  (Mass).  The  po^mlar 
vote  is  Jackson,  687,502  ; Clay,  530,189  ; Wirt,  33,108. 

The  petition  of  the  officers  of  the  U.  S.  Bank  for  a renewal 
of  its  charter  is  referred  to  a select  committee  of  the  Senate, 
who  report  favorably;  long  debates  ensue;  finally  a bill  foi 
re-chartering  the  Bank  passes  both  Houses;  the  President  vetoes 
it,  and  its  friends  fail  to  cany  it  over  the  veto;  in  the  House  a 
committee  is  appointed  to  investigate  the  books  and  proceedings 
of  the  Bank,  numerous  acts  of  misconduct  being  alleged  against 
the  management;  Messrs,  Clayton,  Johnson  (Ky.),  Cambreleng, 
and  Thomas  submit  a majority  report,  Messrs.  McDuffie,  Adams, 
and  Watmough,  a second,  and  Mr,  Adams,  a third;  in  his  an- 
nual message  the  President  recommends  the  removal  of  tlie 
public  funds  from  the  U.  S.  Bank  and  a sale  of  the  stock  be 
longing  to  the  government, 

CoL  Bradburn  arrests  and  imprisons  a number  of  citizens  ai 
Anahuac,  Texas;  the  colonists  headed  by  John  Austin  ho  d a 
meeting  and  demand  the  release  of  the  prisoners;  receiving  ^ 


138  Hutiyry  of  ihn  iTnited  HSiateu^ 

1833.  refusal  they  threaten  to  r luee  the  garrison;  Bradburn  pinions 
his  prisoners  to  the  ground,  declaring  the  ilmt  shot  tired  by  the 
colonists  will  be  their  fate;  the  colonists  vow  if  ho  executes  his 
tlireat  tlio  crime  and  its  retribution  will  be  written  on  the  fort 
with  his  blood;  a few  sliots  are  tired,  then  an  adjustment  is 
accepted  only  to  be  violated  by  Bradburn  ; the  I’cxans  attack 
the  Mexicans  (2G  June)  at  Velasco  and  ca])ture  the  foi  t;  Piedras 
goes  to  the  relief  of  Analiuac,  but  is  met  by  the  Texans  and 
forced  to  capitulate;  Texas  frees  herself  of  military  domination 
and  internal  strife  (August);  a convention  of  the  people  is  held 
at  San  Feliixj  (Oct.)  to  secure  a sei)aration  from  Coaliuila,  but 
without  success. 

Treaties  are  signed  between  the  U.  S.  and  IVIexico  (5  April), 
Naples  (14  Oct.),  and  llussia  (18  Dec.). 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $34,356,608; 
the  debt  is  $24,322,235;  the  value  of  imports  aggregates  $101,- 
029,266,  and  of  ex])orts  $87,176,043. 

1833.  The  U.  S.  Treasury  Building  at  Washington  is  destroyed  by  fire, 
but  its  valuable  contents  are  saved. 

The  President  sends  a message  to  Congress  communicating  the 
proceedings  of  theS.C.  Legislature,  and  suggesting  the  adoption 
of  such  measures  as  the  crisis  seems  to  demand  ; the  judiciary 
committee  reports  a bill  authorizing  the  President  to  employ 
the  land  and  naval  forces  to  enforce  the  collection  of  the  reve- 
nue, if  resistance  is  offered;  Virginia  requests  S.  C.  to  rescind 
her  nullifying  ordinance,  and  Congress  to  speedily  reduce  the 
revenue  from  duties  to  the  standard  of  necessary  exi.enses; 
!Mi’.  Clay  introduces  his  compromise  tariff  bill  (12  Feb.),  to  ])ie- 
vent  the  destruction  of  the  tariff  i^olicy  and  to  avert  civil  waiq 
he  proposes  a gradual  reduction  of  the  obnoxious  duties  during 
the  next  ten  years;  Mr,  Webster  opposes  the  bill,  but  it  i ass:  s 
both  Houses;  the  operation  of  the  nullifying  Acts  is  sus]  '<'n'.ird 
in  S C.,  and  at  a convention  called  by  the  Governor  (11  Ma;  ( b'l 
the  ordinance  is  repealed  because  of  the  moditicatioii  of  the 
tariff  and  the  friendly  action  of  Virginia.  Mr.  Clay’s  bill  W> 
distribute  for  a limited  time  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  public 
lands  is  adopted  a second  time,  but  the  President  retains  it  be- 
yond the  session.  Eight  millions  of  acres  of  land  have  been 
granted  by  Congress  to  new  States  up  to  this  time. 

The  first  reaping  machine  is  publicly  tried  before  the  Hamil- 
ton County  Agricultural  Society  of  Ohio,  by  Obed  Hussey. 
The  Knickerhoch  r Magazine  is  established  in  New  York  by  Mr. 
l^eabody.  Frederick  Tudor  begins  the  exportation  of  American 
ice,  sending  a cargo  to  India. 

Santa  Anna  is  elected  President  of  Mexico ; the  federal 
system  is  again  re-organij:ed;  Gen,  Duran  promulgates  a plan 
in  favor  of  the  church  and  the  army,  and  proclaims  Santa  Anna 
supreme  Dictator  of  the  nation;  the  President  leaves  the  capital 
with  an  army  to  quell  the  revolt;  Arista,  second  in  command, 
declares  in  favor  of  Duran’s  plan;  Vice-lh’esident  Farias  rallies 
the  federalists  against  the  soldiery,  defeating  the  President’s 
scheme;  Santa  Anna  returns  to  the  capital,  raises  another  army, 
and  compels  the  sui-render  of  the  insurgents;  Arista  is  pardon 
ed.  and  Dui-an  cxilod« 


139 


History  of  the  United  ISiates. 

1833.  Tlio  S-  C.  Railroad  Is  now  completed  to  Savannah,  and  is  the 
longest  line  in  the  world.  A canah  connecting  the  Ohio  River 
with  Lake  Erie,  is  opened  to  navigation. 

Gren.  Stephen  E.  Austin,  cliarge  1 with  delivering  a statemeni 
of  grievances  to  the  Mexican  authorities  from  the  people  of 
Texas,  is  arrested  while  returning,  at  Saltillo  by  oi-der  of  Vice 
President  Farias,  and  thrown  into  a dungeon  ; two  parties 
spring  np  among  the  Americans  in  Texas  one  anxious  to  pro 
claim  the  province  independent  of  Mexico,  the  other  retaining 
confidence  in  Santa  Anna  and  opposing  revolutionary  measu!*os, 
while  also  anxious  for  a State  Government;  a second  conveniion 
is  held  at  San  Felipe  to  effect  a separation  of  Texas  from  Coah- 
uila  (April),  at  which  a petition  for  the  sepai’ation  of  the  two 
provinces  is  framed  and  the  plan  of  a State,  constitution 
adopted. 

Congress  refuses  to  authorize  the  removal  of  the  public  funds 
from  the  U.  S.  Bank;  after  the  adjournment  the  President  as- 
sumes the  responsibility  and  directs  William  J.  Duane,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to  withdraw  the  Government  funds, 
(nearly  $10,000,000)  and  deposit  them  in  certain  State  Banks; 
the  Secretary  refuses  and  is  removed  from  office;  Roger  B 
Taney  is  appointed  his  successor,  and  promptly  executes  tiie 
President’s  order;  the  amount  of  loans  of  the  bank  (1  Oct  ) is 
estimated  at  over  $60,000,000 1 intense  excitement  throughout 
the  country  ensues;  the  whole  amount  of  Government  funds  is 
removed  in  nine  months;  the  State  Banks  receive  the  funds  on 
deposit  and  begin  to  loan  freely ; confidence  is  being  rapidly 
restored. 

A commercial  treaty  is  concluded  between  the  U.  S.  and 
Austria,  another  with  Turkey,  and  a special  one  with  the 
Kingdom  of  the  Two  Sicilies,  by  which  $1,720,000  are  to  be 
paid  as  an  indemnity  for  claims  of  citizens  of  the  U.  S.  for 
depredations  upon  our  commerce  by  the  King  of  Naples  be- 
tween 1809  and  1812.  A bill  drawn  on  the  French  Government 
for  the  first  instalment  ($900,000)  of  the  indemnity  due  citizeiis 
of  the  U.  S.,  according  to  Mi%  Rives’s  treaty  with  France  in 
1831,  is  dishonored  on  presentation  for  payment. 

The  second  term  of  Gen.  Jackson’s  administration  begiirs 
(4  March),  Benjamin  F,  Butler^  of  New  York,  is  appointed 
Attorney-GeneraL 

The  Legislatures  of  New  York^  New  Jersey',  Ohio,  and 
Tennessee  pass  resolutions  apiiroving  the  President’.^  comse  on 
the  Bank  question. 

Andrew  Stevenson,  of  Va.,  is  again  re-elected  Speaker  of  the 
House.  Mr.  Clay  offers  a resolution  (5  I3ec,)  requesting  th*' 
President  to  inform  the  Senate  wnelher  the  paper  on  th  ‘ bank 
question  read  to  his  cabinet  and  alleged  to  have  been  puhii.^iie  1 
by  his  authority,  is  gemime  or  not,  and  if  genuine  to  furnish 
the  Senate  with  a copy  of  it;  the  resolution  is  adopted,  the 
President,  in  reply,  questions  the  right  of  the  Senate  to  require 
j>f  him  an  account  of  any  communication  made  in  a cabinet 
souncil,  and  declines  to  comply*  Mr,  Clay  submits  two  resolu- 
fions  declaring  the  President’s  dismissal  of  tho  lato  Seeetary 


140  History  o/  the  United  States. 

J888,  thoTreasury  for  not  rcmovi?)^>:  the  (lc])osits,  and  the  aprw^lntmon'- 
of  anotlier  wlio  did,  aiiillei^al  exercise  of  [)Ovver,  and  the  reasonp 
therefor  unsatisfactory;  the  discussion  is  ])rotractc(l  for  three 
months;  the  second  resolution  is  adopted  as  read,  and  the  tirst 
after  bein^  modified  by  the  autlior;  tlie  President  in  a in(‘,ssa^(5 
protests  against  tliis  action,  and  the  Senate  ado])ts  a nisolutio”. 
declaring  the  Pi'csident  has  no  right  to  send  a protest  to  the 
Senate  against  any  of  its  proceedings. 

The  missionaries  iin])risoned  in  Georgia  in  defiance  of  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  discontimie  their  suit  and  are  released 

The  national  expenses  for  tiie  year  amount  to  $24,257,298, 
the  debt  is  $7,001,0^2;  the  value  of  imports  aggregates 
$108,118,311,  and  of  exports,  $90,140,443. 

1S34.  The  Mormon?  organize  a governing  body  called  the  Twelvr 
Apostles.  Serioik  differences  as  to  doctrines  have  sprung  u])  in 
the  Presbyterian  Churcli,  and  its  adherents  now  divide  into  the 
New  School  and  the  Old  School  parties.  Branch  mints  are  to  hr 
established  at  New  Orleans,  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  and  Oahlonega 
Ga,  Many  of  the  President’s  former  supporters  are  joining  thr 
opposition;  the  combined  force  is  assuming  the  nameof 
while  the  adrrinistration  party  adhere  to  the  name  of 
Democrats. 

Horace  Greeley,  Jonas  Winchester,  and  E.  Sibbett  bring  mi 
the  J^ew  Yorker  (22  March). 

The  Seminole  Indians  in  Florida  are  creating  grave  ala'in; 
Mican  py,  the  king  of  the  nation,  is  opposed  to  the  rernovMl 
agreed  to  in  the  treaty  of  1832,  and  Osceola,  their  most  not  cm  1 
chief,  peremptorily  refuses  to  leave  the  land  of  his  fathers;  the 
President  sends  Gen.  Wiley  Thompson  to  Flonda,  to  prej  are 
for  a forcible  removal  of  the  Indians,  if  necessary;  the  haughty 
bearing  of  Osceola  and  his  firmness  in  pressing  his  remcn 
strances  against  the  proceedings  anger  Gen.  Thompson,  and  b • 
orders  the  chief  to  be  placed  in  irons  and  confined  for  a day;  oi 
his  release  the  Indian  feigns  penitence,  agTees  to  the  removal 
and  promises  to  surrender  certain  cattle  and  horses  during  th- 
first  fortnight  of  Dec.,  1835. 

New  Orleans  is  beginning  to  light  her  streets  vnth  gas. 

The  Indian  Territory,  with  an  area  of  71,000  square  miles,  n 
organized. 

The  manufactm'0  of  table  cutlery  is  established  at  Greenfield, 
Mass. 

Mr.  McLane  resigns  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State,  and  John 
Forsyth,  a Senator  from  Georgia,  is  appointed  in  his  place;  Mr. 
Woodbury,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  receives  the  appointment  of 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to  succeed  Mr,  Taney,  whose  appoint- 
ment during  the  recess  the  Senate  refuses  to  confirm;  Mahlon 
Dickerson,  a former  Senator  from  New  Jersey,  is  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Navy;  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Butler,  as  At- 
torney-General , is  confii’rned.  Speaker  Stevenson,  of  the  House, 
is  nominated  as  minister  to  Great  Britan,  but  is  rejected  in  the 
Senate;  the  British  mission  lias  been  vacant  two  years,  Aaron 
Vail  adirig  as  the  IT.  S.  Representative.  Mr.  Stevenson  resigns 
th®  Speaker’s  chair,  and  John  Boll,  of  Tenn.,  fe  chosenSpeaher 
tljo  tenth  Pepi'efiontativw  of 


History  of  the  (j'nitett  StatCL. 


Ill 


11834.  amendment  to  a pendiiii!;  bin.  3;i:!:i;ests  the  establishment  of 
IJ.  So  Sub-treasuries,  butliis  ])ro;Hisltioii  is  ridiculed. 

The  Senate  finance  committee,  instructed  to  investii:?:ate  the 
affairs  of  the  U.  S.  Bank,  make  a voluminous  repoit  (18  Dec.), 
which  is  ill  the  main  favorable  to  tlie  management. 

The  number  ol’  officers,  agents,  contractors,  etc.,  wlio  are 
jiaid  from  the  TJ.  S.  Treasmy'is  reported  at  imwards  of  60,000, 
of  whom  81,917  are  coniiec  te  1 with  the  Post  Office  Department. 

Oberlin  ((3.)  College  is  established. 

The  French  Goveimment  having  repeatedly  refused  the  Legis- 
lation necessary  to  pay  the  U.  o.  the  first  instalment  of  the 
indemnity,  the  President  roiggests,  as  a measure  of  redress, 
reprisals  u]ion  French  commerce,  in  case  the  Chambers  again 
adjourn  without  making  provision  for  payment. 

The  election  in  New  York  City  is  unusually  stormy;  political 
meetings  are  broken  up,  the  militia  are  called  out  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  city,  and  many  rioters  are  arrested. 

New  York  City  elects  a Mayor  (Cornelius  W.  La^vi'ence)  for 
the  first  time. 

The  anti-slavery  agitation  is  creating  mob  violence:  leading 
abolitionists  are  brutally  attacked,  and  their  dwellings  together 
with  a number  of  chm’ches,  school-liouses,  au'l  negjo  lioiiies  in 
various  parts  of  the  country  destroyed;  Philadeli>hia  has  a 
thr^e  niglus'  riot  in  which  the  mob  assaults  nearly  fifty  houses 
inhabited  by  negroes. 

Lafayette  dies  at  La  Grange,  France  (20  May). 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  blossoms  out  as  a city,  and  gives  itself  a 
full  set  of  municipal  ofilcers. 

A crowd  of  disguised  people  attack  a convent  at  Charles- 
town, Mass.,  seeking  a girl  alleged  to  be  confined  against  her 
will,  and  failingio  discover  her,  they  warn  the  inmates  out  and 
destroy  the  buildings  by  fire. 

Santa  Anna  deserts  the  federal  republican  party  and  system 
in  Mexico,  and  espouses  the  cause  and  assumes  the  direction  of 
his  former  political  enemies;  conscious  of  his  strength  as  the 
head  of  the  miiitary  chiefs  and  the  army,  he  dissolves  the 
national  Congress  and  the  council  of  government  and  sum- 
mons a new  and  unconstitutional  one  to  meet  in  Jan,  next, 
until  which  time  he  is  the  supreme  authority;  these  ])roceedings 
have  a marked  influence  on  the  citizens  of  Texas;  the  Legislature 
of  Coaliuila  and  Texas  is  divided  into  two  parties:  one,  assem- 
bling at  Monclova,  denounces  Santa  Anna  and  sustains  Vi diiari, 
the  constitutional  governor ; the  other,  meeting  at  Saltillo, 
declares  for  Santa  Anna,  issues  a proclamation  against  tlie 
Congress,  annuls  the  decrees  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  elects 
a military  governor;  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Coahuila  and 
Texas  gives  away  large  tracts  of  the  public  domain  which  lie 
almost  exclusively  within  the  limits  of  Texas,  against  the  pro- 
tests of  the  Texan  members. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  a?nount  to  $24,601,982; 
the  debt  is  $4,760,081;  the  value  of  imports  aggregates 
$126,521,332,  and  of  exports,  $104,  336,973. 

835.  An  attempt  is  made  to  assassinate  the  IVesident  by  a crazy 
Englishman  named  J^aAvrence*  who  is  captured  and  sent  to  A 


llUtory  of  the  Uniltv6  States, 


H2 


1835  lunatic  asylum  (30  Jan.)  Clii(;f  Justice  Jolni  Marsliall  dies  at 
Philadelphia  (()  July),  New  Per/j;  7/m/ /cZ  makes  its  a[)])eai- 
aiice  as  a iwo-c.ent  i;ni)ci*,  under  the  auspices  of  Janies  Gordon 
Uennett  and  Aiidcison  and  Smith,  ])rii]ters  (0  May.). 

It  is  decided  hy  ])0])ular  vote  in  New  York  City  to  hegin  the 
construction  of  tiie  Croton  Aciueduct.  J’he  ])ul)lication  of  the 
“Moon  Hoax,”  by  Pichard  Adams  Locke,  editor  of  the 
Sun,  creates  great  excitement  tlrroughout  the  country  and 
Europe. 

Messrs  James  and  Erastus  Brooks  bring  out  the  New  York 
Express, 

Santa  Anna’s  irregular  Conrress  meets  (Jan.);  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent is  dei)Osed  witliout  im])eachment  and  Gen.  Barragan,  a 
leading  centralist,  succeeds  him;  the  reduction  and  disai-ming 
of  the  militia  of  the  several  States  is  decreed;  a rebellion  results 
in  the  State  of  Zacatecas,  which  the  President  suppresses  by  a 
battle  on  the  plains  of  Guadalupe;  a few  days  later  the  “Plan  of 
Toluca,”  changing  the  federal  system  to  a central  government, 
is  published,  and  the  Central  Kepublic  is  established  by 
decree  (3  Oct.);  Santa  Anna  reduces  all  opiiosition  by  fon  e 
arms  excejit  in  the  province  of  Texas,  from  which  the 
citizens  drive  all  the  Mexican  troo])s;  Santa  Anna  pre- 
pares a large  army  to  subjugate  the  Texans.  The  Mexican 
Governor  of  Texas  calls  out  the  militia,  but  the  appeal  is  dis- 
regarded and  the  executive  compelled  to  flee;  the  Congress  de- 
looses  the  State  authorities  and  arrests  and  banishes  all  refractory 
Legislators;  Gen.  Ste])hen  Austin  is  released  and  returns  from 
Mexico;  he  calls  the  Texans  to  arms  and  organizes  the  militia 
to  repel  the  IMcxican  invasion;  the  Mexican  General  Cos  ar- 
rives at  Copano  and  marches  toward  Bexar;  the  Texans  attack 
the  Mexicans  at  Gonzalez  (1  Oct.)  and  disperse  them;  eight 
days  later  they  capture  the  Mexican  stronghold,  Goliad,  witli 
$10,000  worth  of  stores  and  a large  quantity  of  arms;  Gen. 
Austin  defeats  a superior  force  of  Mexicans,  near  Bexar 
(20  Oct.);  the  Texan  colonists  hold  a general  convention  at 
San  Felipe  and  adopt  a declaration  of  rights  and  independence 
(7  Nov.);  a provisional  government  is  formed,  with  Henry 
Smith,  governor,  and  Samuel  Houston,  commander-in-chief  of 
the  army;  Edward  Burleson  is  elected  to  the  chief  command  of 
the  volunteers,  and  Gen.  Austin  is  a] ‘pointed  a commission cj- 
to  seek  tlie  aid  and  recognition  of  the  U.  S.;  the  Texans,  under 
the  veteran  JMilam,  beshge  Bexar,  and  after  penetrating  to  the 
center  of  the  town,  force  the  garrison  to  siuTender  (11  Dec.). 

President  «Tackson  announces  the  extinction  of  the  natinnal 
debt.  Chicago  oi'ganizes  a flre-department,  and  oj  ens  her  1rst 
bank.  The  manufacture  of  hoi  se-shoc'S  by  machinery  is  beguw 
at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  of  pins  at  New  York.  Col.  Sam  Colt  be  gins 
making  revolver  pistols  at  Hartford,  Conn.  SpringbJIl  College, 
St.  Jose])h,  Ala.,  and  Oglethorpe  Univei*sity,  Atlanta,  Ga.,  are 
organiz(Ml.  Attacks  upon  the  negroes  and  abolitionists  are 
becoming  daily  occurrences  in  the  Northern  States.  Work 
is  begun  o!i  the  New  York  and  Erie  Bailroad.  New  York 
I'litv  is  visited  by  a tenible  tire  (IGDec.);  the  night  is  m- 

flcmca  rficA  Hava  ' 


14E 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1835n  business  part  of  the  oitv,  and  consume  648  houses  and  stores 
with  118,000,000  worth  of  property;  the  flames  are  checked  by 
blowing  up  buildings  with  gunpowder;  all  the  insurance 
conii)aiiies  are  forced  to  suspend  payments. 

Instead  of  keeping  his  promise  with  Gen.  Thompson, 
Osceola,  the  Seminole  chief,  takes  to  the  war  path  in  the  Ever‘ 
glades  of  Florida  (Dec.);  Major  Dade  is  sent  from  Fort  Brooke- 
at  the  head  of  Tam])a  Bay,  with  over  100  men,  to  the  assistance 
of  Gen.  Clinch,  at  Fort  Drane,  in  the  interior;  the  Major  and 
all  but  four  of  his  command  are  massacred  near  Wahoo 
Swamp  (28  ; the  same  day  Osceola  appears  near  Fort  Kins:, 
and  wliile  Gen.  Thompson  is  dining  with  friends,  the  Indians 
su  1 lenly  kill  the  general  and  flve  others;  Osceola  takes Thomp- 
;on’s  scalp  and  the  Indians  disapiDear  before  the  assault  is 
cnown;  Gen.  Clinch  and  his  troops  have  a battle  with  the 
Seniinoles  on  the  Withlacoochee  (31).. 

In  the  U.  S.  Senate  Mr.  Benton  moves  a resolution  ordering 
Mr.  Clay’s  resolutions  against  the  President  on  the  deposits 
question  to  be  expunged  from  the  minutes.  A claim  for  spolia- 
tions of  the  property  of  American  citizens  by  France  prior  to 
1800  is  presented,  with  a bill  proposing  to  pay  the  claimants  an 
aggregate  of  $5,000,000;  Mr.  Webster,  its  author,  advocates 
the  bill,  while  Mr.  Wright  leads  the  opposition;  the  bill  passes 
the  Senate,  and  the  House  postpones  action  on  it  till  next 
session. 

A Democratic  National  Convention  in  Baltimore  adopts  the 
two-thirds  rule,  a. id  unanimously  nominates  Van  Buren  for 
President ; lllchard  M.  Johnson  nominated  for  Vice-President. 
Wm.  Henry  Harrison  and  Francis  Granger  are  nominated  by 
several  Whig  State  Conventions.  Georgia  and  Tenn.  nominate 
Hugh  L.  White  and  Jolin  Tyler;  Mass.,  Webster  and  Granger  ; 
Md.,  Harrison  and  Tyler;  S.  C.,  W.  P.  Mangum  and  Tyler. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $27,573,141; 
the  value  of  imports  aggregates  $149,895,142,  and  of  exports, 
$121,693,577. 

1836  Santa  Anna  sets  out  from  Saltillo  for  the  Rio  Grande,  where 
there  are  8,000  troops,  to  drive  the  Americans  out  of  Texas 
(1  Feb.);  he  attempts  to  excite  the  Indians  against  the  Texans; 
the  Mexican  minister  to  the  U.  S.  remonstrates  against  tlie 
interference  of  the  American  people  in  a purely  domestic  ques- 
tion of  Mexico;  the  Pr-esident  of  the  IJ.  S,  sends  Maj.-Gen. 
Gaines  to  command  the  troops  on  the  Louisiana  border,  with 
orders  to  preserve  a strict  neutrality  and  to  arrest  any  person 
exciting  the  Indians  to  war;  Gen.  Austin  goes  to  the  U.  S.  to 
obtain  means  for  carrying  on  the  war;  Gen,  Houston  hastens  to 
treat  with  the  Indians,  and  Gov.  Smith  is  removed  from  ofllcc; 
information  is  received  (7  Feb.)  that  the  Mexicans  are  advancing 
to  the  Rio  Grande,  and  that  a strong  detachment  is  already  at 
Matamoras;  Col.  Fannin  notifies  the  provisional  government, 
and  calls  for  aid  to  protect  Bexar;  the  colonists  are  dilatory, 
and  allow  the  Mexicans  to  concentrate  on  the  heights  of  the 
Alesan  (23  Feb.);  the  Texans,  under  William  B.  Travis,  and 
numbering  150  )nnn,  retire  to  the  Alamo,  and  sustain  a Imim 
bardmeiit  of  24  hours  without  losing  a man;  Travis  makes 


14:4  Ilislory  of  the  United  States. 

183G.  repeated  appeals  for  aid;  only  82  volunteers  from  Gonzalea 
come  to  his  Bueeor;  the  entire  Mexican  force  of  over  4000  men, 
under  Santa  Anna,  surround  the  Alamo  at  midnight  (0  Marcli); 
they  are  tA\ice  re])ulsed  in  attempting  to  scale  the  walls,  hut  a 
third  time  tliey  succeed;  only  two  ])crsons,  Mrs.  Dickenson  and 
a negro  servant,  escape  the  butciiery  that  follows;  among  the 
slain  a!'e  Travis,  Maj.  Evans,  Col.  James  Bowie,  and  David 
Crock(  It,  of  d'enn. 

In  the  meantime  a convention  of  the  colonists,  who  now 
number  at  least  50,000,  is  held  at  Washington,  on  the  Brazos., 
and  (2  March)  it  unanimously  agrees  to  a declaiation  of  indc' 
pendence;  a constitution  for  the  Rejaiblic  of  Texas  is  adoi)ted 
(17),  and  David  G.  Burnett,  of  N.  J.,  is  appointed  provisional 
president. 

Gen.  Urrea,  leaving  Santa  Anna  near  Bexar,  i;roceeds  alonji 
the  coast  with  a strong  division;  Ca])t.  King,  with  a small 
detachment,  falls  in  with  the  Mexican  cavalry,  and  his  whole 
party  are  captured  and  killed;  Col.  Fannin,  not  hearing  from 
King,  sends  another  detachment  under  Col.  Ward  to  ])rotet*t 
the  families  at  the  Mission  of  Refugio;  Ward  has  two  engage- 
ments with  the  Mexicans;  in  the  first  he  is  victorious,  but  in 
the  second  he  is  overpowered  and  forced  to  surrender;  Fannin 
begins  a retreat  from  Goliad  to  Victoria  (18  March),  and  is  over- 
taken the  same  day  by  the  Mexicans;  he  repels  all  Urrea’s 
charges  until  dusk,  when  a body  of  Indians  crawl  through  the 
grass  and  attack  him;  Urrea  is  reinforced  in  the  morning,  and 
Fannin  is  obliged  to  surrender;  the  ca])itulation  is  violated  by 
SantaAnna’s  orders  (27  March),  and  all  the  prisoners,  amounting 
to  about  400,  are  put  to  death  at  Goliad,  save  a few  who  esca^ie 
after  the  first  fire. 

The  army  under  Gen.  Houston,  numbering  783  men,  crosses 
Buffalo  Bayou  (19  April),  surrounds  the  Mexican  force  under 
Gen.  Cos,  numbering  nearly  1,000  men,  on  the  San  Jacinto, 
makes  a sudden  attack  (21),  and  nearly  annihilates  the  enemy, 
killing  630,  wounding  208,  and  taking  730  prisoners,  with  a loss 
on  their  own  side  of  8 killed  and  17  wounded;  Santa  Anna 
himself  is  captured  on  the  following  day;  President  Bmmett 
concludes  a convention  with  Santa  Anna  (14  May),  and  the  lat- 
ter is  nominally  released,  much  against  the  popular  sentiment, 
which  demands  that  he  be  detained  within  Texas;  subsequently 
the  President  of  Texas  releases  him;  he  goes  to  Washington, 
D.  C.,  has  a secret  conference  with  the  President  of  the  U>  S. 
(18  Dec.),  and  leaves  (20)  in  a war  vessel  for  Mexico. 

The  Seminoles  attack  Gen.  Gaines  near  the  Withlacoochee 
(29  Feb.)  and  kill  a number  of  his  troops;  the  Creeks  begin 
dejm^dations  in  Georgia  and  Alabama,  attacking  villages  and 
causing  the  whites  to  tlee;  Gen.  Scott  wages  a vigorous  war 
against  the  Creeks,  subduing  them  and  sending  stweral  thou- 
sands to  their  designated  homes  in  the  west;  Gov.  Call,  of  Ga., 
marclK'S  against  the  Seminoles  with  nearly  2,000  men  (Oct.);  e 
severe  cngagenKmt  occurs  near  the  scene  of  Dade’s  massacre 
(21  Nov.),  but  without  material  results. 

Arkansas,  formed  from  French  tei  ritory,  adopts  a constitution 
(1  March).  aruJ  is  admitted  into  the  Union  by  Act  of  15  June;  the 


0‘ 


t 

r 

y 

% 


I'-. 

A", 


Leaders  of  ihe  Rebellion. 

1.  JhyFKJlSON  DAVIS.  A.  ]|.  STEPHENS.  8.  l?OPEIiT  TOOMBS. 
4.  J.  ]iEN.]AM]N.  5.  J.  H.  BEACAN. 


145 


History  of  the  United  States. 

5B6.  same  Act  admits  Michigan  conclitionall3\  By  Act  of  20  Apill. 
'Wisconsin  is  formed  as  a Territory  out  of  lands  acquired  from 
Great  Britain  and  heretofore  lying  in  the  Temtor}"  of  Michigan, 

Brigliam  Young  is  elected  President  of  the  Twelve  Apostles, 
Mormons. 

The  Union  Theological  Seminary  (Preshy.)  in  New  York 
City  is  founded. 

The  charter  of  the  U.  S.  Bank  expires  by  limitation. 

Ex-President  James  Madison  dies  (28  June).  Aaron  Burr 
dies  (14  Sep.) 

TheTreasuiy  Department  issues  a circular  (11  Juh*)  requuing 
all  collectors  of  the  public  J'evenue  to  receive  nothing  but  gold 
and  silver  in  pa^unents;  the  “ Specie  Circular'’  is  denounced  by 
business  men  generally. 

Congress  authorizes  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury"  to  dis- 
tribute all  the  public  funds,  exce]>t  ^5,000,000,  among  the  dif- 
ferent States  on  the  basis  of  their  representation;  a mania  for 
speculation  sets  in. 

Gen.  Samuel  Houston  is  elected  the  first  constitutional  Presi- 
dent of  tlie  Kepublic  of  Texas,  and  Gen.  Mirabeau  B.  Lamar, 
Vice-President  (Sept.). 

Vice-President  Martin  Van  Buren(Dem.),  of  N.Y.,  is  elected 
President  of  the  U.  S.,  over 'William  Henry  Harrison  (Whig), 
of  0.;  H.  L.  White  (Ind.),  of  Tenn.;  and  Daniel  Webster 
(Whig),  of  Mass.;  for  Vice-President  there  is  no  electoral  choice 
between  Kichard  M.  Johnson  (Dem.),  of  Ky.;  Francis  Granger 
(Whig),  of  N.  Y.;  John  Tyler  (Ind.),  of  Va.;  and  William 
Smith  (Wliig),  of  Ala.  The  electoral  votes  are  Van  Buren,  170; 
Harrison,  73;  White,  2G ; Webster,  14,  and  Mangum,  11;  and 
for  Vice-Pres.,  Johnson,  147 ; Granger,  77;  Tyler, 47;  Smith,  23. 
Tlie  popular  vote  is  : Van  Buren,  701,549  ; the  opposition, 
730,656. 

The  United  States  Patent  Otlice  is  destroyed  bj^  fire,  with  all 
its  contents  (15  Dec.). 

In  Mexico  tlie  Congress  suspends  the  presidential  autliority  of 
Santa  Anna  while  a prisoner  in  Texas  (20  May);  Gen.  Barragan, 
Vice-Pres.,  assumes  executive  functions,  but  dies  shoitly  after. 

The  anti-slaveiy  question  is  assuming  vast  proportions;  peti- 
tions praying  for  the  abolition  of  slavery  and  the  slave-trade 
are  daily  presented  in  Congress  from  the  free  States;  the  pre- 
vailing sentiment  is  that  Congress  has  no  constitutional  author- 
ity to  interfere  in  an 3^  way  with  the  institution  of  slaver3^  in  any 
of  the  States. 

The  distinguished  actress,  Ellen  Tiee,  makes  her  fii'st  Ameri- 
can appearance  in  New  York  (12  Dec.). 

Philadelphia  is  now  lighting  her  streets  with  gas. 

In  Centreville,  Mich.,  tobacco,  for  chewing  purposes,  is  being 
cut  very  fine  by  machinery. 

Experiments  in  Pennsylvania  have  resulted  in  the  belief  that 
anthracite  coal  is  more  satisfactory  than  wood  for  locomotive 
fuel. 

Scientific  peojile  are  elated  over  the  erection  of  a building  at 
Williamstown,  Mass.,  for  astronomical  obseiwations. 

• The  national  exiienses  for  the  year  amount  to  ?30,934,604 


145 


History  of  the  United  States. 

IbBG.  j^ame  Act  admits  Michigan  conditionally.  By  Act  of  30  Aprfl 
Wisconsin  is  formed  as  a Territory  out  of  lands  acquired  from 
Great  Britain  and  heretofore  lying  in  theTeiritory  of  Michigan 

Brigham  Young  is  elected  President  of  the  Twelve  Apostles 
Mormons. 

The  Union  Theological  Seminaiy  (Presby.)  in  New  York 
City  is  founded. 

The  charter  of  the  U.  S.  Bank  expires  hy  limitation. 

Ex-President  Janies  Madison  dies  (38  June),  Aaron  Burr 
dies  (14  Sep.) 

The  Treasury  Department  issues  a circular  (11  July)  requiring 
ail  collectoi’S  of  the  public  revenue  to  receive  nothing  but  gold 
and  silver  in  iiayments;  the  ‘‘  Specie  Circular’’  is  denounced  by 
business  men  generally. 

Congress  authorizes  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  dis- 
tribute all  the  public  funds,  except  $5,000,000,  among  the  dif- 
ferent States  on  the  basis  of  their  representation;  a mania  for 
speculation  sets  in. 

Gen.  Samuel  Houston  is  elected  the  first  constitutional  Presi- 
dent of  the  Bepublic  of  Texas,  and  Gen.  Mhabeau  B.  Lamar, 
Vice-President  (Sept.). 

Vice-President  Martin  Van  Bm'en(Dem.),  of  N.Y.,  is  elected 
President  of  the  U.  S.,  over  William  Henry  Hairison  (Wliig), 
of  0.;  H.  L.  White  (Ind.),  of  Tenn.;  and  Daniel  Webster 
(Whig),  of  Mass.;  for  Vice-President  tliere  is  no  electoral  choice 
between  liichard  M.  Johnson  (Dem.),  of  Ky.;  Francis  Granger 
(V/hig),  of  N.  Y.;  John  Tyler  (Ind.),  of  Va.;  and  William 
Smith  (Whig),  of  Ala,  The  electoral  votes  are  Van  Buren,  170; 
Harrison,  73;  White,  36;  Webster,  14,  and  Mangum,  11;  and 
for  Vice-Pres.,  Johnson,  147;  Granger,  77;  Tyler ,47;  Smith,  33. 
The  popular  vote  is  : Van  Buren,  761,549  ; tlie  opposition, 
736,656. 

The  United  States  Patent  Office  is  destroyed  by  fire,  v/ith  all 
its  contents  15  Dec.). 

In  Mexico  the  Congress  suspends  the  presidential  authority'  of 
Santa  Anna  while  a prisoner  in  Texas  (30  May);  Gen.  Barragan, 
Vice-Pres.,  assumes  executive  functions,  but  dies  shortly^  after. 

The  anti-slavery  question  is  assuming  vast  proportions;  peti- 
tions praying  for  the  abolition  of  slavery  and  the  slave-trade 
are  daily  presented  in  Congress  from  the  free  States;  the  pre- 
vailing sentiment  is  that  Congress  has  no  constitutional  author- 
ity to  interfere  in  any  way  with  the  institution  of  slaveiy  in  anv 
of  the  States. 

The  distinguished  actress,  Ellen  Tiee,  makes  her  first  Ameri- 
can appearance  in  New  York  (13  Dec.). 

Philadelphia  is  now  lighting  her  streets  with  gas. 

In  Centreville,  Mich.,  tobacco,  for  chewi.-g  pmposes,  is  being 
cut  veiy  fine  by  machinery. 

Experiments  in  Pennsydvania  have  resulted  in  the  belief  that 
anthi’acite^'oal  is  more  satisfactory  than  wood  for  locomotive 
fuel. 

Scientific  people  are.  elated  over  the  erection  of  a building  at 
Williamstown,  MasSo,  for  astronomical  observations. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  ve^r  amount  to  $30,934,634 


14  G History  of  the  Urdted  states 

1886.  the  value  of  imports  aggregates  $189,980,085,  and  of  exports 
$128,003,040. 

1837.  Senator  Benton’s  persistency  in  seeking  to  have  Mr.  Clay’s  resolu- 
tion of  28  March,  1834,  condemning  President  Jackson  for  remov- 
ing the  deposits,  expunged  from  the  journal,  meets  with  suc- 
cess (IG  Jan.),  tlie  resolution  being  expunged  by  a vote  of  24 
yeas  to  19  nays,  5 absentees. 

jMi(*higan,  having  complied  with  the  co.iditions  imposed  upon 
her,  is  admitted  into  the  Union,  20  Jan. 

Santa  Anna  reaches  Vera  Cruz,  20  Feb.;  the  lack  of  confi- 
dence in  him  is  so  strong  that  he  is  forctnl  to  go  into  retirement; 
Gen.  Bustamente  is  elected  President;  fre(pient  declarations  in 
favor  of  federation  are  made,  but  the  governnumt  suj)presse.v 
the  disturbances  with  ease;  Gomez  Farias,  stilt  in  prison,  is 
making  strong  eff  u ts  for  the  Presidency. 

The  independence  of  the  llepublic  of  Texas  is  recognized  by 
the  U.  S.  Government,  3 March. 

Martin  Van  Buren,  eighth  President,  is  sworn  into  office 
(4  March);  he  appoints  as  his  cabinet,  John  Forsyth,  Secretary  of 
State;  Levi  Woodbury,  Secretaiy  of  tlie  d reasmy;  Joel  K. 
Poinsett,  Secretary  of  War;  Mahlon  Dickinson,  Secretary  of 
the  Navy;  Amos  Kendall,  Postmaster-General;  and  Benjamin 
F.  Butler,  Attorney-General.  As  none  of  the  candidates  for 
Vice-President  received  a majoiity  of  the  electoral  votes,  the 
Senates  goes  into  an  election,  and  cliooses  Kichard  M.  Johnson. 

The  town  of  Chicago  is  incorporated  as  a city,  4 March. 

The  Seminole  campaign  has  continued  through  the  winter; 
after  several  severe  encounters  with  the  troops,  a number  of 
chiefs  call  on  Gen.  Jesup,  at  Fort  Dade  (0  March),  and  sign  a 
treaty  which  guarantees  speedy  peace,  and  the  prompt  removal 
of  the  Indains  beyond  the  Mississippi;  during  the  summer, 
however,  Osceola  reappears,  urges  the  violation  of  the  treaty, 
and  renews  the  war;  Osceola,  with  several  chiefs  and  70  war- 
riors, appears  at  Jesup’s  camp,  under  a flag  of  truce  (21  Oct.); 
exasperated  by  his  former  treachery,  Jesup  seizes  all  the  Indians 
and  places  them  in  conflnenient;  Osceola  is  sent  to  Fort  Moul- 
trie, S.  C.,  where  he  dies  of  a fever;  nearly  9,000  troops  remain 
in  tlie  State,  engaging  irregularly  with  the  Indians  till  the  close 
of  the  year;  Col.  Zachary  Taylor  inflicts  a severe  defeat  ui^on 
them  at  Macaco  Lake,  25  Dec. 

The  results  of  last  year’s  overtrading  and  "peculation  are 
becoming  alarming  apparent;  in  New  York  City  the  mercantile 
failures  already  (March  and  April)  amount  to  over  $100,000,000, 
and  in  New  Orleans  to  $27,000,000;  in  Boston  108  heavy  failures 
occur  within  six  months;  a deputation  from  the  merchants 
and  bankers  of  New  York  call  upon  the  President  (May),  and 
solicit  him  to  defer  the  collection  of  duties  on  imported  goods, 
rescind  the  “ Specie  Circular,”  and  call  an  extraordinary  session 
of  Congress  to  ado])t  i-e!ief  measures;  the  President  accedes  to 
the  lirst  I’cquest  oidy;  all  the  banks  in  New  York  suspend 
sp(;(le  paym(;nts  (10),  and  the  Legislature  authorizes  the  sus- 
pension of  sj)ecie  paynamts  for  one  year  (10);  the  action  of  the 
JSlew  Yoik  banks  is  si)eedily  followed  by  those  in  Boston^ 
Philadelphia,  Albany,  Hartford.  Baltimore.  Providence,  anc 


147 


History  of  the  i States. 

1337,  elsewhere.  Seeing  that  these  suspensions  will  seriously  embar^ 
ras  the  Government  by  rendering  it  unable  to  obtain  gold  and 
silver  to  discliarge  its  own  obligations,  the  President  calls  a 
special  session  of  Congress,  to  convene  4 Sep.;  in  his  message 
the  President  suggests  the  entire  disuse  of  banks  as  fiscal 
agents  of  the  Government;  the  collection,  safe-keeping,  transfer, 
and  disbursements  of  the  public  money  by  officers  of  the  Gov- 
ernment; and  the  employment  of  specie  alone  in  its  fiscal 
operations.  He  believes  the  exclusive  use  of  specie  a practicable 
operation,  and  holds  that  a demand  for  it  will  thus  be  created, 
and  its  exportation  prevented;  to  supply  the  existing  deficiency 
in  the  Treasury  he  recommends  withholding  the  last  installment, 
$9,367,200,  now  on  hand,  which  under  the  law  should  be 
deposited  with  the  States  in  Oct.  next.  Congress  meets  accord- 
ing to  the  call  and  sits  forty-three  days;  many  measures  for 
relief  are  proposed;  the  President’s  recommendation  for  the 
establishment  of  an  independent  Treasury  meets  with  very 
strong  opposition;  a bill  carrying  out  the  suggestion  passes  the 
Senate  but  is  lost  in  the  House;  both  bodies  pass  a bill  author- 
izing the  issue  of  treasury  notes  to  an  amount  not  exceeding 
$10,000,000,  and  another  postponing  the  deposit  of  the  last 
instalment  of  the  siu'plus  revenue  till  1 Jan.,  1839. 

The  Indiana  Asbury  Institute  at  Greencastle  is  organized. 

An  open  rupture  occiu'S  between  the  New  School  and  the 
Old  School  parties  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  process 
of  separation  begins;  the  andivided  Church  has  23  synods,  135 
presbyteries,  2,140  ministers,  280  licentiates,  244  candidates, 
2,865  churches,  220,557  members. 

Roman  Catholic  Bishops  are  appointed  for  Nashville,  Tenn., 
Natchez,  Miss.,  and  Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Rev.  Eo  P.  Lovejoy,  publisher  of  an  abolition  newspaper  at 
Alton,  IlL,  is  killed  by  a mob,  and  his  property  destroyed,  7 
Nov. 

The  first  regular  session  of  the  25th  Coi^ress  openis,  4 Dec.; 
m discussing  the  Sub-Treasury  bill,  Mr.  Tallmadge,  who  has 
separated  from  his  Democratic  friends,  pronounces  the  creed  of 
the  locofocos  the  destruction  of  the  whole  banking  system  of 
the  country,  the  repeal  of  charters,  and  the  abrogation  of 
vested  rights;  Messrs.  Clay,  Calhoun,  and  Webster  make  great 
speeches  on  the  financial  condition. 

A revolutionary  movement  is  developed  in  Canada  (Dec.), 
supposed  to  have  in  view  a separation  from  Great  Britain; 
William  Lyon  McKenzie  leads  the  agitation  in  Upper  Canada, 
and  Louis  Joseph  Papineau,  a large  land-owner,  that  in  the 
Lower  Province;  the  movement  excites  the  sympathy  of  Ameri- 
cans in  tiie  northern  States;  the  Governors  of  New  York  and 
Vermont  issue  proclamations  warning  their  citizens  from  unlaw- 
ful acts;  the  steamboat  Caroline  is  seized  at  Schlosser,  on  the 
American  side  (29  Dec.),  by  a party  of  armed  men  who  come 
from  and  return  to  the  Canadian  side;  the  crew  are  attacked, 
the  boat  is  set  on  fire,  and  drifts  over  the  Niagara  Falls. 

Capt.  John  Ericsson  successfully  applies  a screw  for  the  pro 
pulsion  of  steam  vessels. 


!48  History  of  the  United  Stales. 

LST.  ^ The  total  appropriations  for  the  ])roseention  of  the  Seminole 
Iinlian  wnv  to  the  close  of  the  y(‘ar  ji^’-^rc^atf;  f:r>, 100.000. 

Tlie  national  exi)enses  for  tlie  .y(air  amount  to  Jjr:;7,20r),03T' 
Jie  debt  is  $1,878,223;  tlie  value  of  imports,  $140,080,217,  and 
of  exports,  $117,410,370. 

1838.  President  Van  Ihiren  issues  a proclamation  in  regard  to  the 
Canadian  excitement,  5 Jan.;  Gen.  Scott  is  orderi'd  to  assume 
military  command  on  the  border,  and  napiisitiims  are  made 
upon  Gov.  Marcy,  of  New  Yo”k,  and  Gov.  Jenison,  of  Ver- 
mont, for  such  military  force  as  Gen.  Scott  may  ihhmI;  Secretary 
of  State  Forsyth  informs  Mr.  Fox,  the  British  Minister,  of  the 
Cavolluc  outrage;  a bill  to  ])rotect  the  frontier  and  la'csmTe  our 
neutral  i-(dations  passes  both  Houses  of  Congress;  the  Canadian 
“ ])atriot  ” forces  are  disbanded  before  the  opening  of  spring; 
quite  a number  of  Americans,  taken  prisoners  by  thoCanadian 
troops,  are  tried  under  British  laws,  convicted,  and  either  exe- 
cuted or  transjiorted  to  Van  Dieman’s  Land. 

d'he  Republic  of  Texas  apidies  for  annexation  to  the  U.  S. 
(Jan.  ' ; a bill  is  introduced  for  the  purpose,  and  read  for  debate 
(24  April);  amotion  to  refer  it  to  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
Allai]  s is  laid  on  the  table;  the  Texan  Minister  formally  with- 
draws the  ajiplication,  Get. 

Tlie  Medical  College  of  Virginia  is  founded. 

A branch  U.  S.  mint  is  opened  at  Dahlonega,  Ga. 

The  Moi  inon  community  at  Independence,  ]Mo.,  numbering 
12,000  men  and  women,  is  attacked  by  the  j ojudace,  wlio  charge 
them  with  every  crime  in  the  ciaminal  code;  their  i rinting  office 
is  destroyed,  sevei  al  of  the  A))ostles  are  tarred  aiid  feathered, 
and  a number  of  the  “saints”  are  killed.  None  of  the 
;hai*ges  made  against  the  Mormons  are  proven,  the  major- 
ity are  shown  to  be  ridiculous  and  without  foundation  ; 
nevertiieless,  so  stiong  is  the  religious  feeling  aroused 
against  the  new  Christian  sect  that  they  are  driven 
from  the  State.  Joseph  Smith  conducts  them  to  Hancock 
County,  Illinois,  where  they  found  the  city  of  Nauvoo. 

in  Mexico  Gen.  Mexia  again  attempts  to  overthrow  the  cen- 
tral government;  he  advances  toward  the  capital  with  a coni 
siderable  huw,  and  is  met  near  Puebla  by  Santa  Anna,  who 
has  been  entrusted  by  President  Bustamente  with  the  command 
of  the  government  troo]  s;  Mexia  is  defeated,  and  being  taken 
prisonei-,  is  shot  on  the  field  of  battle,  without  time  for  prayer. 
A French  fleet  attacks  Vera  Cruz  on  ai  count  of  the  rejection  by 
Mexico  of  a French  demand  for  repin  ation  for  the  plundering 
of  French  residents  and  the  violent  colle<  tion  of  forced  loans; 
Santa  Anna  commands  the  Mexii  an  ti  oops,  and  while  following 
the  retreating  French,  has  a leg  siiattered  by  a cannon-ball. 

The  Earl  of  Durham  succeeds  to  the  Governor-Generalship  of 
all  British  America;  having  banished  to  Bermuda  a number  of 
pnsoners  taken  in  the  insurre(  tion,  be  is  censured  by  the 
British  Parliament,  which  indium's  him  to  resign  before  the  close 
of  the  year;  a fi-esh  rebellion,  which  had  ]»een  organized  during 
the  summer  along  the  whole  fine  of  the  American  frontier, 
breaks  out  in  tlie  Montreal  disrii(  t.  9 Nov.;  at  Napierville, 
where  ttoiue  inauTu-er'-^  hu.d  collected,  wv  keep  com* 


History  of  the  United  States.  149 

1838.  munications  open  with  friends  in  the  U.  S.,  a conflict  occurs  in 
whicii  the  insurgents  are  defeated  by  a party  of  loyalists;  the 
latter  are  in  turn  attacked  in  Odelltown,  but  rejadse  the  insur- 
gents. Several  hundred  Americans  sail  from  tlie  vicinity  of 
Sackett’s  Harbor  and  land  near  Prescott,  where  they  are  joined 
by  many  restless  Canadians;  the  camp  is  attacked  by  govern- 
ment troops  (13  Nov.),  and  sustains  the  shock;  tlie  j-arty  ai-e 
again  attacked  by  a larger  force  (16),  when  nearly  the  whole 
surrender;  another  invasion  occurs  from  tlie  Anierican  sivle 
(4  Dec.),  when  some  200  men  cross  from  Detroit  to  Sandwich, 
rout  a p^arty  of  British,  burn  the  barracks  and  a steamer,  and 
are  almost  immediately  dispersed  by  fresh  troops;  many  of  the 
prisoners  are  shot  directly  after  the  skirmish. 

McKenzie,  who  started  the  “ patriot ’’ l ebellion  in  Canada, 
taking  up  his  residence  in  the  U.  S.,  is,  with  Gen.  Y an  Hense- 
laer,  the  commander  of  the  united  Ameiican  and  Canadian 
force,  arrested,  and  tried  and  convicted  befoi-e  J udgo  Thompson, 
for  a violation  of  the  neutrality  laws;  both  are  sentenced  to 
fine  and  imprisonment. 

Both  Houses  of  Congress  pass  a joint  resolution  repealing  the 
“Specie  Circular”  of  31  May,  1838. 

The  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  passes  an  act  for  the  pro- 
motion of  silk  culture,  2 April;  the  National  Silk  Society  is 
organized  at  Baltimore,  11  Dec. 

By  Act  of  Congress  (12  June)  Iowa  is  formed  as  a territory 
from  the  teiritory  of  Wisconsin,  and  includes  all  the  tract 
between  the  Mississippi  and  the  Missouri  Rivers  and  north  of 
the  northeiai  boundary  of  Missouri. 

A convention  is  signed  (Sep)  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico, 
by  which  it  is  agreed  to  refer  the  claims  or  the  former  upon 
the  latter  for  injuries  to  the  persons  and  pro[)erty  of  our  citi- 
zens to  a board  of  commissioners,  two  to  be  a]  >pointed  by  each 
party,  and  in  case  of  a difference  of  opinion,  the  question  to  be 
submitted  to  the  King  of  Prussia,  or  to  an  arbiter  to  be  appointed 
by  him;  the  ratifications  to  be  exchanged  on  or  before  10  Feb., 
18:39. 

Capt.  Charles  Wilkes,  U.  S.  N.,  sails  on  his  famous  South 
Sea  exploring  expedition. 

Two  steamers,  the  Great  Western  and  the  Sirius,  propelled 
exclusively  by  steam-power,  arrive  at  New  York  from  London 
and  Bristol  respectively,  and  are  the  ijioneers  of  Atlantic  steam- 
ship travel. 

The  money  bequeathed  by  James  S-mithson,  of  England, 
amounting  to  upwards  $500,000,  for  the  purpose  of  founding 
an  advanced  educational  establishment  in  tlu  U.  S.,  is  received 
at  New  York,  and  with  it  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  is  created. 

Congress  having  ordered  a new  set  of  standard  weights  and 
measures,  zinc  is  used  in  their  manufacture,  for  the  first  time 
in  the  U.  S. 

Solid  head-pins  have  begun  to  be  manufactured  at  Bhming- 
ham.  Conn. 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  is  visited  by  a fire  which  destiws  1,i58 
buildings,  laying  wa^te  M.early  half  the  city. 


150 


History  of  the  United  StatCM^ 

1838,  Over  one  hundred  persons  lose  their  lives  ])y  an  explosion  of 
the  boilers  of  the  Steamboat  Moselle  while  tn  route  from  Cin- 
cinnati to  St.  Louis. 

The  manufacture  of  gold  spectacles  and  silver  thimbles 'is 
begun  at  Long  Meadow,  Mass.,  by  Dimond  Chandler. 

Patents  are  granted  to  Charles  Goodyear,  for  making  gum- 
elastic  shoes;  to  Col.  Stephen  II.  Long,  U.S.A.,  for  asusj>ension 
and  brace  bridge;  and  to  Elisha  K.  Loot,  Collinsville,  Conn., 
for  a machine  for  punching  and  forming  the  eyes  of  axes, 
hatchets,  and  hammers. 

The  national  expenses  of  the  year  amount  to  $80,455,4^18; 
the  debt  is  $4,857,000;  the  value  of  imx)orts,  $118,717,404:  and 
of  exports,  $108,480,016. 

1839o  Mexico  fails  (10  Eeb.)  to  ])erform  its  obligation  according  to  the 
convention  of  Se]).,  1838;  the  House  Committee  on  Foreign 
Relations  report  tliat  the  reasons  for  the  delays  are  unatisfactory , 
and  declare  the  detennination  of  the  House  to  sustain  the  Ex- 
ecutive in  any  ulterior  measures  that  may  be  adoi)ted;  Mexico 
assigns  as  a chief  reason,  a belief  that  the  King  would  decline 
to  seiwe;  the  President,  in  his  message  (Dec.),  attaches  little 
credence  to  this  reason,  but  receives  it  as  an  explanation;  he 
consents  to  a new  convention  and  directs  ]\Ir.  Ellis  to  resume 
diplomatic  intercoiu'se  with  the  Mexican  authorities  for  the  p^nr- 
pose. 

Charles  Goodyear  perfects  his  idea  of  vulcanizing  or  eboniz- 
ing  India-rubber  by  means  of  sulphur  (Feb.). 

W.  F.  Hamden,  of  Boston,  initiates  the  express  business  in 
the  U.  S.  (4  March),  carrying  xmckages  from  that  city  to  New 
York. 

Gen.  Macomb  succeeds  do  the  chief  command  of  the  U.  S. 
Army  (April);  he  induces  a number  of  the  Seminole  chiefs  to 
sign  a treaty  of  peace  (May),  by  which  they  are  to  remain  in 
Florida  until  they  can  be  convinced  of  the  advantageous  circum- 
stances of  their  acquaintances  who  have  emigrated  West;  the 
Indians  almost  immediatelj^  resume  warfare  upon  the  bites, 
and  the  Government  of  the  Territory  oher  a reward  of  $200  for 
each  Indian  killed  or  captured  (June). 

While  voyaging  down  the  Pacific  Coast  from  Alaska,  John 
A.  Sutter  is  stranded  in  what  is  now  the  Bay  of  San  Fiaiicisco 
(July);  he  seeks  the  interior,  obtains  a Mexican  grant  of  laud, 
and  establishes  himself  in  the  lumber  business. 

The  schooner  L’Amistad,  bound  from  Havana  to  G lanaja. 
Port  Principe,  with  fifty-four  blacks  on  board,  while  lying  near 
the  coast  of  Connecticut,  is  seized  by  Lieut.  Gedney,  of  the  U. 
S.  brig  WaMn^ton,  and  taken  into'  New  London  (Aug.);  the 
blacks  x)rove  to  be  slaves,  imrehased  at  Havana,  \^'ho,  when  they 
had  been  a few  days  out,  rose  in  mutiny  and  killed  the  caj)- 
tain  and  three  of  the  crew;  Cingues,  son  of  an  African  chief 
and  leader  of  the  mutiny,  with  38  others,  are  committed  for 
trial;  a demand  is  made  upon  our  Government  by  the  acting 
Spanish  Minister  to  the  U-  S.,  for  the  surrender  of  the  vessel, 
the  cargo,  and  the  slaves  to  the  Spanish  authorities;  before  the 
U.  S.  C&cuit  Court  in  Hartford  (S(q).)  the  counsel  for  Spain 
demands  the  release  of  the  blacks;  Judge  Thompson  denies  tho 


151 


History  oj  the  Unitea  sS totes ^ 

1839.  motion;  a long  controversy  ensues  as  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
district  and  chcuit  courts,  in  which  is  also  involved  the  claim  of 
the  odicei’S  and  crew  of  the  Washington  for  salvage;  adjourn- 
. ments  are  had  to  Nov.  and  thence  to  Jan.,  next. 

Matthew  Carey,  the  distinguished  Protectionist,  dies  at  Phila. 
(17  Sep.) 

The  Republic  of  Texas  sends  a diplomatic  agent  to  Yera 
Cruz,  to  endeavor  to  establish  amicable  relations  with  Mexico, 
but  tlie  commandant-general  threatens  to  imprison  him  if  he 
lands.  France  recognizes  the  Republic  and  signs  a treaty  with 
it  (25  Sep.). 

Through  over-speculation  in  cotton  the  U.  S.  Bank  is  forced 
to  suspend  operations,  10  Oct.;  this  failure  entails  a loss  of 
$2,000,000  in  deposits  upon  the  Government,  and  j^recipitates 
another  financial  panic;  over  400  banks  are  obliged  to  close 
business  wholly  or  in  part;  the  South  and  West  suffer  the  most 
severely. 

John  William  Draper,  M.D.,  L.L.D.,  is  elected  Professor  of 
Chemistry  in  the  University  of  New  York  (Nov.),  and  takes  the 
first  photographic  portrait  ever  taken  from  life. 

At  the  western  New  York  Anti-Slavery  Society’s  meeting  at 
Warsaw  (13  Nov.)  an  abolition  ticket  is  nominated,  with  James 
G.  Birney  of  N.  Y.  for  President,  and  Francis  J.  Lemoyne,  of 
Penn.,  for  Vice-President. 

The  National  Whig  Convention  is  held  at  Harrisbm'g,Penn., 
beginning  4 Dec.,  with  James  Barbour,  of  Va.  in  the  chair; 
two  days  later  254  nominating  votes  for  President  are  cast,  of 
which  William  Henry  Harrison  receives  148,  Henry  Clay,  90, 
and  Gen.  Scott,  16;  John  Tyler,  as  a candidate  for  Vice-Presi- 
dent, receives  all  the  votes  cast,  231. 

Peaceful  relations  between  the  U.  S.  and  Great  Britain  are  en- 
dangered by  the  excitement  concerning  the  boundary  between 
the  State  of  Maine  and  the  British  Province  of  New  Brunswick; 
preparations  are  bein^  made  in  both  places  to  settle  the  dispute 
by  armed  combat;  Gen.  Scott  is  hurried  to  the  frontier  and 
succeeds  during  the  winter  in  restoring  quiet. 

In  his  annual  message  (Dec.)  the  President  again  calls  atten- 
tion to  his  Sub-Treasury  proposition,  and  Mr.  Wriglit  reports  a 
bill  in  the  Senate  authorizing  its  establishment. 

It  having  been  announced  that  a pack  of  blood-hounds  have 
been  imported  from  Cuba  to  aid  in  the  capture  of  tlie  Seminole 
Indians,  many  petitions  are  received  in  Congress  remonstrating 
against  the  barbarity;  before  any  action  is  taken  the  use  of  the 
dogs  is  abandoned  because  of  inefficiency. 

Freciiian  Hunt  establishes  the  Merchant's  Magazine. 

Messrs.  Baldwin,  Vail,  and  Hufty,  of  Phila.,  receive  orders 
from  English  railroad  companies  for  a number  of  locomotives 
from  their  works. 

The  iiatio!ial  expenses  of  the  year  amocnt  to  $37,614,936;  the 
debt  is  111,983,737;  the  value  of  imports  $162,092,132,  and 
of  exports.  $121,088,416. 

1840.  The  lu.lependent  Treasury  bill,  rejected  at  the  special  session  of 
1837,  and  renewed  by  Mr  Wright  upon  the  repeated  argument 


153 


History  of  the  United  States. 


i94C.  in  the  Prosidont’s  message,  passes  the  Senate  (23  Jan.)  and  the 
House  (30  June). 

In  the  ease  of  the  hlaeks  eajJured  on  L' A mint  ad.  Judge 
Judson,  of  tlie  Distriet  Coui  t,  dec  id(‘S  (.Jan.^  that  tlie  jurisdie- 
tioii  of  the  court  lias  been  established,  tliat  Ihe  si'izcMsare 
entitled  to  salvage,  that  the  demand  of  the  Spanish  authoi  ities 
for  restoration  cannot  lie  entei-tained,  and  that  the  actual 
murdenn-s,  being  black,  must  be  set  free;  liad  they  Iccmi  white 
they  would  have  been  tried  and  exiruted  as  ] bates;  tla 
Africans  are  to  be  delivered  to  the  President  under  the  Act  oi 
1819,  to  be  returned  to  Africa;  an  aiiiieal  is  taken  fioni  these 
decisions  to  the  Ciivuit  Court,  where  Judge  ''Jdioiujrson  aflirms 
the  decree;  and  to  iirevent  any  legal  doubt  the  Government 
itself,  at  the  request  of  the  Spanish  Minister,  a))]  cals  to  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court,  which  aflirms  the  decision  of  Mie  Disti  ict  Court 
except  as  to  sending  the  blacks  back  to  Africa , ordci big,  instead, 
their  discharge  from  custody  as  free  men;  the  Pritish  Govern- 
ment intercedes  with  our  Government  in  behalf  of  the  blacks, 
and  urges  Spain  to  enforce  the  laws  against  the  alleged  owners 
of  the  slaves  and  all  other  Spaniards  connected  witli  the  trans- 
action. 

On  the  assembling  of  the  2Gth  Congress  the  scats  of  live  of 
the  six  members  of  the  House  from  N.  J.  aie  contested;  the 
event  leads  to  an  animated  debate;  the  committee  on  elections 
are  instructed  (28  Feb.)  to  report  forthwith  which  live  of  the 
claimants  received  the  largest  number  of  votes;  a rej.ort  is 
made  (5  March)  in  favor  of  the  administration  candidates,  Messrs. 
Philemon  Dickerson,  Peter  D.  Yroom,  Daniel  B.  Ryall,  William 
R.  Cooper,  and  Joseph  Kille;  these  claimants  are  declared 
entitled  to  the  seats  '10  March);  after  receiving  further  testi- 
mony, the  report  of  the  committee  declaring  them  duly  electcfl 
is  a dop te d , 1 6 Jul y . 

Senator  Benton  introduces  a bill  from  the  militaiy  committee, 
to  piovide  for  the  armed  occupation  and  settlement  of  that  por- 
tion of  Florida  infested  by  hostile  Indians,  by  gi’anting  land  to 
settlers,  not  exceeding  10,000  men  able  to  bear  arms,  820  acres 
each;  but  the  bill  is  rejected. 

File  National  Democratic  Convention  is  held  at  Baltimore 
(5  May);  it  unanimously  nominates  Martin  Van  Buren  for  a 
second  Presidential  term;  no  candidate  for  Vice-President  is 
nominated,  but  subsequently  Richard  M.  Johnson  and  James 
K,  Polk  are  put  in  the  held  by  different  States. 

The  terms  ‘‘  log-cabin  ” and  ‘‘  hard  cider  ” are  applied  to  the 
exciting  campaign  in  compliment  to  Gen.  Hariison,  who  had 
experienced  pioneer  life  in  the  West,  and  usually  treated  his 
visicors  to  cider;  log-cabins  ure  erected  all  over  the  country 
during  the  campaign,  and  a terrible  amount  of  hard  cider  is 
dnmk  at  the  political  meetings  in  them. 

Of  the  electoral  votes  at  the  Presidential  election  the  Whig 
candidates  i*ec(nvo  234  each;  Van  Buren,  GO;  R.  ]M.  Johnson, 
for  Vice-Pr(jsi(l(int,  48;  L.  Wo  Tazewell,  of  Va.,  11;  and  James 
K.  Polk,  1.  Wliig  popular  vote-  1,275,017 ; Democratic, 
1428.702, 


153 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1840.  Samuel  Canard,  of  Halifax,  starts  the  first  of  the  line  of 
ocean  steainsliips  bearing  his  name,  the  Britannia,  from  Liver- 
pool (4  July),  and  it  reaches  Boston  in  fourteen  days. 

In  Mexico  the  Federalist  party,  headed  by  Gen.  Urrea  and 
Gomez  Farias,  create  an  insurrection  in  the  capital  city  (July) 
and  seize  the  Ih'esident;  after  fighting  twelve  days  a convention 
of  general  amnesty  is  agreed  upon  by  the  contending  parties. 

Great  Britain  recognizes  the  independence  of  the  Kepublic  of 
Texas,  and  concludes  a treaty  with  it  (16  Nov.) j Mexico  agrees 
to  receive  a Texan  agent  and  permit  him  to  submit  the  basis  of 
a treaty. 

The  census  shows  the  population  of  the  U.  S.  to  be  17,068,666 
Alvan  Adams  begins  carrying  packages  between  Boston  and 
New  York  in  competition  with  W.  F.  Hamden,  and  thus 
founds  the  Adams  Express  Co. 

During  the  year  473  patents  have  been  issued  from  the  U.  S. 
Patent  oOice.  Among  the  most  important  are:  to  William  Bus- 
sell, New  York,  for  a method  of  laying  wooden  blocks  on  roads 
and  streets;  Samuel  B.  F.  Morse,  electric  telegraph;  John 
Ames,  Springfield,  Mass,  a machine  for  making,  ruling,  and 
cutting  paper;  Norman  T.  Winans  and  Thadeus  Hyatt,  New 
York,  machine  for  making  splints  for  friction  matches;  and 
Boss  Winans,  Baltimore,  an  improved  method  of  regulating 
the  waste  steam  of  locomotives. 

The  national  expenses  of  the  year  amount  to  $28,226,553;  the 
debt  is  $5,125,077;  the  value  of  imports,  $107,641,519;  of  ex- 
ports, $132,085,936. 

1841.  General  Harrison  is  inaugurated  ninth  President  of  the  U.  S. 

(4  March);  he  chooses  the  following  persons  as  members  of  his 
cabinet:  Daniel  Webster,  Mass.,  Secretary  of  State  ; Thomas 
Ewing,  Ohio,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  John  Bell,  Tenn., 
Secretary  of  War;  George  E.  Badger,  N.  C.,  Secretary  of  the 
Navy;  Francis  Granger,  N,  Y.,  Postmaster-General;  John  J. 
Crittenden,  Ky.,  Attorney-General;  issues  a proclamation  (17) 
convening  Congress  in  special  session  (31  May)  to  take  action 
on  the  state  of  the  currency  and  finances. 

After  an  illness  of  eight  days  the  President  dies  (4  April)  in 
the  Executive  Mansion ; Vice-President  Tyler  is  notified  at 
Williamsburg,  and  reaches  Washington,  where  to  dispel  any 
doubt  that  might  arise  as  to  the  validity  of  his  oath  as  Vice- 
President,  while  acting  as  President,  he  takes  the  oath  as  Chief 
Magistrate  before  Judge  Cranch  (6) ; the  funeral  of  the  late 
President  takes  i3lace  (7) ; President  Tyler  makes  no  change  in 
the  Cabinet, 

The  New  York  Tribune  appears  (10  April)  as  the  avowed 
organ  of  the  Whig  party,  edited  by  Horace  Greeley,  with  the 
Assistance  of  Henry  J.  Raymond;  the  New  Yorker  and  the  Log 
Cabin  diVQ  merged  into  the  Weekly  Tribune  (July),  and  Mr.  Gree- 
ley forms  a partnership  with  Thomas  McElrath. 

Aiex'nder  McLeod,  a Canadian,  charged  with  having  partici- 
pated in  the  cutting  out  and  burning  of  the  Gaioline,  and  sub- 
sequently charged  with  the  murder  of  Amos  Durfee,  who  was 
on  the  boat  at  the  time  of  the  seizure,  is  taken  from  Loclq.>ort,  N. 
Y.,  to  New  York  City  on  a writ  of  habeas  corpus  (May'j;  tb" 


154  History  of  the  Xinited  /States, 

IS^l.  Britisli  Government  demands  liis  release;  the  case  is  discussed  at 
the  extra  session  of  Congress,  Mr.  Webster  lioldin^  that 
McLeod  sliould  he  diseliar^cMl,  and  ]\Ir.  Adams  sustaining  the 
administration;  tlie  ti  ial  takes  ])laee  at  Utica,  N.  Y.  (Oct.),  at  a 
sj)ecial  session  of  the  Circuit  Coui-t,  ordered  l)y  tlie  Legislature 
for  tlie  ])urpose,  and  results  in  the  acijuittal  of  the  iirisoner. 

Congress  assembles  in  sjiecial  session  (31  May):  the  J^iesi- 
dent’s  incssage  reiiorts  the  deficit  in  the  available  funds  in  tie; 
Treasury  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  Government  for  the  year  at 
nearly  $11,500,000;  John  White,  a Whig  iiuanher  fi-oni  Ky.,  is 
elected  Speaker  of  the  House  by  a vote  of  121  to  84  for  John 
W.  Jones,  Va.,  and  10  scattering  ; the  Senate  likewise  has  a 
Whig  majority;  a bill  is  introduced  for  the  reiieal  of  the  Sub- 
Treasury  law;  it  passes  the  Senate  (9  June)  and  the  House 
(9  Aug.),  and  becomes  a law  by  the  President’s  ajiproval  (13). 

The  President  expresses  a desire  that  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  he  called  upon  for  suggestions  for  the  cstablishnK'nt 
of  a bank;  the  House  (3  June)  and  the  Senate  (7)  make  a call, 
to  which  the  Secretary  responds  (12);  he  jiroposes  the  incor- 
poration of  a hank  in  the  District  ol  Columbia,  with  power  to 
establish  branches  only  with  the  assent  of  the  States,  and  to 
be  known  as  tlie  Fiscal  Bank  of  tlu^  U.  S.  ; IMr.  Clay  reports  a 
bill  on  the  Secretary’s  plan  (21),  which  is  didiated  up  to  28  July, 
when,  with  amendments,  the  Senate  passes  it;  tlie  House 
(6  Aug.)  adopts  it,  and  the  President  (16)  vetoes  it;  a new  liill 
is  prepared,  to  overcome  the  President’s  objections;  the  House 
(23  Aug.)  and  the  Senate  (3  Sept.)  pass  it,  and  the  lYesident 
returns  it  (9)  with  his  veto  ; these  actions  produce  great  excite- 
ment; all  the  Cabinet  but  Mr.  Webster  resign  (11  Sept.);  the 
same  day  the  Whig  members  of  Congress  hold  a meeting  and 
appoint  a committee  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  citizens  of  the 
U.  S.,  which  (13)  is  issued;  the  course  of  President  Tyler  is 
almost  universally  condemned  by  the  Whig  party. 

At  this  special  session  Acts  are  passed  pi*oviding  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  public  lands  among 
the  States,  authorizing  a loan  of  $12,000,000,  and  establishing 
a general  bankrupt  law. 

The  vacancies  in  the  Cabinet  are  filled  b.y  the  appointment  of 
Walter  Forward,  Penn.,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  John  Mc- 
Lean, Ohio,  Secretary  of  War;  Abel  P.  Upsheer,  Va.,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy;  Chajdes  A.  Wckliffe,  Ky.,  Postmaster-Gen- 
eral; and  Hugh  S.  Legare,  S.  C.,  Attorney-General.  Judge 
McLean  declines  his  appointment,  and  John  C.  Spencer,  N.  Y., 
is  appointed  in  his  place. 

President  Lamar,  of  Texas,  sends  three  commissioners  (18 
June),  under  an  escoi*t  of  nearly  400  citizens,  to  Santa  Fe,  for 
the  purpose  of  opening  trade  with  that  city,  and  establishing 
the  authority  of  the  re])ublic  over  all  the  territories  east  of  the 
Kio  Grande;  being  intercepted  by  a strong  force  of  Mexicans, 
the  entire  party  surnmder  (17  Oct.),  and  are  bound  together 
^ith  ropes  and  started  on  the  mai*ch  to  Mexico  City,  1,200 
miles  distant;  th(;y  reach  tlie  capital  (Dec.),  where  the}^  are 
heavily  chained  and  condemned  to  labor  in  the  streets  as  com 
ira>n  scavengers. 


History  of  the  United  States.  155 

1841.  Another  revolution  breaks  out  (Aug.)  in  Mex^m^,.  ind  risings 
occur  in  the  capital  and  at  Vera  Cruz,  the  laiter  being 
led  by  Santa  Anna;  the  capital  is  bombarded,  a montli^s  con- 
test in  the  streets  follow,  and  Biistamente  is  forced  from  tlie 
President’s  office;  a military  convention  is  held  (Sep.),  and  the 
plan  of  Tacubaya,  for  an  entire  change  io  tin  govei  nnient,  is 
adopted;  Santa  Anna  again  becomes  President. 

An  abolition  riot  oeeurs  in  Cincinnati  (Sep.),  and  several 
houses  are  destroyed  by  the  mob. 

The  brig  Creole  leaves  Richmond  for  New  Orleans  (Oct.), 
with  135  staves  on  board;  a mutiny  occurs  (7  Nov.),  in  wliich  a 
part-owner  of  the  slaves  (Howell)  is  killed,  and  several  of  the 
crew  are  injured;  the  slaves  take  the  brig  to  Nassau,  New 
Providence;  the  British  magistrates  and  the  LI.  S.  consul  hold 
an  investigation;  nineteen  of  the  slaves  arc  im])iisoned  by  the 
local  authorities  for  the  mutiny  and  murder;  a demand  by 
om'  consul  that  they  be  smTendered  to  be  sent  to  the  U.  S. 
for  ti’ial  is  refused. 

Theodore  R.  Timby  constructs  a model  of  a revolving  iron 
tower  for  harbor  defense. 

Among  tlie  495  U.  S.  patents  granted  this  year  are  one  to 
Edwin  M.  Chaffee,  Cambridgeport.  IMass.,  for  the  manufaidure 
of  balls  of  India-rubber,  and  one  Co  Samuel  Slocum,  N.  Y.,  for 
a machine  for  sticking  pins  In  papers. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $31,787,530; 
the  debt  is  $6,737,398;  the  value  of  imports  $127,946,117;  and 
of  exports  $121,851,803. 

1842.  Mr.  Adams  presents  to  the  Senate  (24  Jan.)  a petition,  signed  I,y 

citizens  of  Haverhill,  Mass.,  for  the  adoption  of  measures 
peaceably  to  dissolve  the  Union,  and  moves  its  reference  to  a 
select  committee  with  instructions  to  report  the  reasons  why 
the  prayer  should  not  be  granted;  IMr.  Gilmer  offers  a resolu- 
tion of  censure  upon  Mr.  Adams  for  presenting  such  a peti- 
tion; Mr.  Marshall  offers  a substitute  <^eclaring  Mr.  Adams’ 
action  the  deepest  indignity  to  the  Hou^e  and  the  people;  a 
violent  debate  ensues  to  7 Feb.,  when  the  resolutions  are  laid 
on  the  table  and  the  reception  of  the  petition  refused. 

The  Secretary  of  State  (Mr.  Webster)  instructs  our  minister 
to  England  (Mr.  Everett,  29  Jan.)  to  present  the  case  of  the 
slaves  on  the  Creole  to  the  British  Government,  with  a distinct 
declaration  that  “ if  the  facts  turn  out  as  .^ated,  our  Govern- 
ment think  it  a clear  case  for  indemnification;’*  the  question 
raises  argument  in  Parliament,  where  Lord  Brougham  dissents 
from  Mr.  Webster’s  view;  it  is  agreed  that  there  is  no  author- 
ity to  surrender  the  fugitives,  nor  hold  the  mutineers  in  cus- 
tody, and  orders  are  issued  to  the  British  authorities  at  Nassau 
to  release  them. 

The  House  Committee  on  manufactu-res  report  (3i  March)  that 
tlie  estimated  expenses  of  the  Government  for  the  current  year 
are  $26,000,000,  whic  h will  leave  a deficit  of  about  $14,000,000. 
and  that  some  permanent  ])rovision  for  an  increased  revenue  is 
indispensable;  the  committee  submit  , tiie  draft  of  a bill  for  a 
•'evision  of  the  tariff;  while  the  bill  is  j. ending  a bill  accom- 
L>aiiying  the  report  of  the  SecTetary  of  tlie  l’'-*easury  is  submit 


H Istory  of  the  United  States. 


15G 

IS49  tod  (10  June),  to  extend  to  1 Aiip:.  next  a)!  lavvs  repilaflnff 
duti(^s  existing  and  in  force  o!i  1 Jun(%  w ith  a iiroviso  that 
notlhn^  tlicr(^in  contained  sluil]  suspend  tie;  dietiil/iition  ainon^ 
the  States  of  the  P'igcchmIs  of  laihlie  land  sales,  tlie  tiist  distri- 
bution b(5in"  due  1 duly;  the  bill  passes  la  th  Houses  and  is 
S('nt  to  tla^  President  who  (20  .Juiu^)  vetoes  it,  luaiuly  because  it 
abiogates  the  j>rovisions  of  tlio  (loniproiuise  A(  t,  i)y  continuing 
the  (‘xistin^  duti' s for  one  month  after  80  .lune,  w luai  «a  i(!- 
diution  was  to  take  jilaee;  tliC  taiilT  bill  is  takem  U))  and  after 
b(2mg  amend(vd  is  ] assi'd  by  the  Houses  (10  Jnly)  and  the 
Senate  (5  Aui’’.),  and  returned  by  th(‘  Pi('sident  (0)  with  bis 
veto;  another  bill,  the  same  as  that  just  passed,  except  that 
the  distribution  clause  is  stricken  out,  is  iiisIkhI  tiircu^li  both 
Houses  (passing  the  Senate  by  one  V(;te)  and  is  ai)])roved  by  the 
Pi'esident;  an  imh'pendent  l ill,  reijealing  the  j)roviso  in  the 
l^isti  ibution  Act  so  as  to  allow  the  (listribution  to  take  jdace 
notwithstanding  the  increase;  of  duties,  is  adopted,  but  is  de- 
feated by  Pi’esidential  ndemtion. 

Lord  Asiibiuton,  ai)pointed  Minister  Extraordinary  by  (Ireat 
Britain,  for  the  pui'pose  of  negotiating  an  adjustnaait  of  the 
north-eastern  boundary  question,  arriva's  in  the  U.  S.,  3 A.pril; 
commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legislatures  (d'  Maine  and  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  by  the  (Government  of  the  Province  of  New 
Brunswick,  partieijaite  in  the  inq  oitaiit  delibeiations;  a treaty 
of  boundary  is  concluded,  9 Aug.,  ratitied  by  Great  Britain,  13 
Oct.,  and  la’oclaimed  by  the  President,  10  Nov. 

The  President  sends  a communication  to  the  Senate,  10  May, 
proposing  a metiiod  of  settling  the  Indian  troubles  in  Florida; 
a bill  embodying  his  views  is  di  awm  up  and  \ asses  both  Houses; 
it  offers  to  any  head  of  a family  oi-  any  single  man  over  18  3^ears 
old,  able  to  bear  arms,  and  making  an  actual  settlement,  one 
quarter  seiiion  of  land  on  conditions  involving  the  improve- 
ment of  the  land;  200,000  acres  are  thus  gTanted  during  the 
yeai-,  and  the  hostilities  cease,  dliiswarhas  cost  about  $20,000,- 
000. 

Lieut.  John  C.  Fi'emont,  U.S.  To|  ograpliical  Engineer,  stait° 
from  Clioteau’s  trading-house,  beyond  the  western  boundary  of 
Missouri,  on  his  first  exploring  expedition  to  the  far  West,  10 
June;  he  has  21  Creole  and  Canadian  toy^/gevrs  with  him, 
besides  Kit  Carson,  guide,  Charles  Pieuss.  topograj  hical  assist- 
ant, and  L.  Maxwell,  hunter;  he  takes  his  course  along  the  bed 
of  Platte  river,  through  what  becomes  famous  as  the  South 
Pass,  and  thence  north  to  the  Wind  liiver  Peak  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains;  the  great  achievement  of  the  expedition,  and  one  of 
the  greatest  feats  ever  accomplished  by  a traveler,  is  performed 
(15  Aug.)  when  he  ascends  this  noted  peak,  the  highest  of  the 
vast  chain,  and  plants  his  foot  where  never  mortal  foot  had  stood 
before;  tin;  party  face  homeward  (17  Aug.) by  way  of  the  Loup 
Fork  of  the  Platte  river,  reach  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  17  Oct.,  and 
Washington,  D.  C.,  29;  the  entire  ex])edition  has  been  re]  lete 
with  hardship,  danger,  and  inestimable  scientific  knowledge, 
and  the  gallant  leader  receives  the  highest  praise  of  his  country's 
legislators,  and  the  cultured  minds  of  the  old  and  new  worlds, 
for  his  phenomenal  achjevem(;ut9. 


History  the  XTnited  States.  i j * 

1843.  The  new  Mexican  Congress  assembles  (June),  and  Santa 
Anna  declares  in  favor  of  a strong  central  government;  the 
subsequent  proceedings  dissatisfy  him  and  (Dec.)  he  dissolves 
the  Congress  without  any  authority,  and  convenes  an  assembly 
of  notables  in  its  place. 

Work  on  the  construction  of  the  Croton  Aqueduct  in  New 
York  has  proceeded  so  rapidly  that  the  engineers  are  able  to  Jet 
water  into  the  reservoir  on  Fifth  Avenue  (4  July),  and  the  event 
is  celebrated  by  an  imposing  procession. 

The  sect  of  Adventists  called  Millerites,  from  William  Miller, 
of  Mass.,  who  formulated  the  belief  in  1838,  claim  that  the 
second  appearance  of  Jesus  Christ  on  earth  will  occur  in  Oct.; 
thousands  of  believers  throughout  the  U.  S.  dispose  of  all  them 
property,  attire  themselves  in  white  robes,  and  congregate  on 
the  house-tops  and  in  ox:)en  fields  in  anticipation  of  the  event, 
which  they  also  believe  will  embrace  then*  own  ascension  to 
glory  with  Him. 

Prof.  S.  F.  B.  Morse  lays  the  first  submarine  telegraph  wire, 
as  an  experiment,  in  New  York  Harbor,  18  Oct.,  anticipating  by 
more  than  a year  and  a half  the  construction  of  ‘the  first  land 
line. 

A treaty  is  concluded  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico  (Dec.), 
for  the  purpose  of  settling  the  claims  of  our  citizens,  which 
amount  to  $2, 026, 079, independent  of  a large  number  unadjusted; 
the  first  payment,  $270,000,  the  interest  on  the  sum  awarded,  is 
to  be  made  30  April,  1843,  and  the  whole  is  to  be  paid  in  five 
years. 

Lieut.  Wilkes,  U.  S.  N.,  returns  from  his  exploring  expedi- 
tion to  the  extreme  Southern  Ocean ; he  reports  that  he  has 
sailed  about  90,000  miles,  and  that  he  coasted  along  what  he 
believes  to  be  an  Antartic  Continent,  a distance  of  1,700  miles; 
the  observations  and  discovei  ies  made  during  the  long  voyage 
are  pronounced  of  priceless  value  to  the  world  at  large. 

During  the  year,  517  U.  S.  patents  have  been  granted.  The 
most  important  are:  J.  J.  Greenough,  Boston,  for  a sewing 
machine  (the  first  mechanism  of  its  kind  on  record);  Cullen 
Whipple,  Providence,  li.  I.,  for  a machine  for  cuttinj?-  th*eads 
in  wood  screws;  and  William  Becker,  Utica,  N.  Y.,  for  a 
machine  for  manufacturing  from  wood  a substitute  for  curled 
hair  in  stuffing  cushions. 

The  Mormon  city  of  Nauvoo,  111.,  is  chartered  by  the  State 
Legislature. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $32,936,876 , 
the  debt  is  $15,028,486;  the  value  of  imports,  $100,152,087;  and 
of  exports,  $104,691,531. 

1843.  The  difficulties  in  Bhode  Island  over  an  attempt  to  substitute  a 
State  Constitution  of  government  for  the  Charles  II.  Charter 
are  assuming  a serious  aspect ; Thos  W.  Dorr,  who  has  been 
the  most  active  in.  x)romoting  the  change,  and  is  the  leader  of 
the  Suffrage  Party,  is  chosen  Governor  (18  April)  at  a Conven- 
tion which  frames  and  adopts  a Constitution,  and  elects  a Legis- 
lature; the  Law  and  Order  Party  take  similar  action  about  the 
same  time,  electing  Samuel  W.  King  Chief  Magistrate;  both 
parties  meet  (3,  4 May),  and  organize  their  respective  Govera- 


158  History  of  the  United  States. 

1843.  ments ; violent  measures  are  taken  by  eacli ; Dorr  leaves  the 
State,  but  returning  (10  May),  his  followers  assemble  under 
arms,  and  undertake  to  seize  the  State  Arsenal;  the  other  party 
rally  in  its  defense,  and,  aided  by  Government  troops,  prevent 
the  seizure  ; Dorr,  to  avoid  an’est,  again  leaves  the  State;  the 
Suffrage  Party  make  another  ai)pearance  under  arms,  at  Che- 
pachet,  and  are  joined  (25  June)  by  Dorr;  tlie  whole  State  is 
])lace(l  under  martial  law,  and  the  Dorr  party  are  defeated  and 
their  leader  is  captured;  he  is  tried  and  convicted  of  treason,  and 
sentenced  to  im])risonment  for  life;  the  General  Assembly  i)ro- 
vides  for  another  convention  to  frame  an  acceptable  constitu- 
tion. 

Idle  sentiment  in  favor  of  the  annexation  of  Texas  is  growing 
very  strong,  t)articularly  in  the  Southern  States  ; in  Alabama 
the  Legislature  sends  a petition  to  Congress  favoring  the  project; 
in  Mississippi  the  Legislature  declares  that  protection  to  the 
best  interest  of  the  South  (slavery)  will  be  afforded  by  the  an- 
nexation ; in  South  Carolina  resolutions  are  proposed  asserting 
that  Texas  is  already  a part  of  the  Union  ; a secret  coi-respond- 
ence  is  carried  on  during  the  'year  between  the  Secretary  of 
State,  Mr.  Everett,  our  Minister  to  England,  Mr.  Thompson, 
Minister  to  Mexico,  Mr.  Murphy,  our  Charge  in  Texas,  Mr.  Van 
Zandt,  Texan  Charge  at  Washington,  and  others,  concerning  the 
scheme  and  the  conditions  to  be  imposed  previous  to  the  con- 
summation of  the  Act ; in  his  message  (Dec.)  the  President 
intimates  a disposition  to  interpose  by  force  of  arms  to  put  an 
end  to  the  war  between  Mexico  and  Texas,  and  says  that  the 
U.  S.  has  an  immediate  interest  in  the  matter. 

The  results  of  Lieut.  Fremont’s  first  expedition  are  so  unex- 
pected, and  his  success  so  extraordinary  that  the  Government 
sends  him  on  a second  one;  he  is  expressly  charged  to  connect 
the  exploration  with  the  suiweys  of  the  Pacific  Coast  by  Cai)t. 
Wilkes,  U.  S.  Navy,  so  as  to  give  a connected  survey  of  the 
interior  of  our  continent : his  second  party  number  39,  and 
include  the  most  trusty  of  his  first  squad;  he  proposes  this  time 
to  go  up  the  valley  of  the  Kansas  River,  to  the  head  of  the  Ar- 
kansas River,  and  to  some  pass  in  the  mountains,  if  any  can  be 
found,  at  its  source,  in  order  to  lay  out  a new  and  more  pleasant 
road  to  Oregon  and  California ; the  party  leave  the  town  of 
Kansas,  29  May ; after  traveling  over  1,700  miles  he  comes  in; 
sight  of  what  he  calls  an  Inland  Sea  (6  Sept.),  subsequently 
known  as  the  Salt  Lake  ; the  party  reach  Fort  Vancouver,  on 
the  Columbia  River,  the  appointed  terminus  of  his  journey,  4 
Nov. ; six  days  later  they  start  on  their  homeward  journey,  in 
wliich  he  contemplates  a circuit  to  the  south  and  south-east, 
and  the  exploration  of  the  great  basin  between  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains and  the  Sierra  Nevada. 

Daniel  Webster  resigns  the  Secretaryship  of  State  (May);  the 
President  api)oints  Hugh  S.  Legai*e  to  succeed  him  (June)  ; on 
the  sudden  death  of  Mi‘.  Legare,  while  attending  the  Bunker 
Hill  (Milebration  (17),  the  President  calls  Abel  P.  Upshur  to  the 
Dei)artment  of  State. 

In  Mexico  the  Asseml^ly  of  Notables,  convened  by  Santa 
Anna’s  order,  draw  uu  a new  constitution,  Imown  as  the  bases 


Sisiory  oj  tae  United  States. 

1843.  of  political  organization  of  tlie  Mexican  Republic,  and  (13  June) 
proclaim  it;  by  it  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  is  to  be  protected 
to  the  exclusion  of  all  others;  the  President  is  to  be  elected  for 
five  years ; the  rights  of  citizenship  can  only  be  enjoyed  by 
those  who  have  an  annual  income  of  at  least  $200  ; the  first 
Congress  of  the  new  Government  is  to  assemble  in  Jan.  next. 

The  completion  of  the  Bunker  Hill  Monument,  at  Boston,  is 
celebrated  with  a grand  demonstration  (17  June);  the  President 
and  his  Cabinet  participate,  and  Daniel  Webster  delivers  one 
of  the  greatest  orations  of  his  life. 

A Liberty’Party  National  Convention  at  Buffalo  (30  Aug.) 
nominates  J.  G.  Birney  and  Thomas  Morris. 

The  Old  School  and  New  School  branches  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  enter  upon  their  careers  as  distinct  denominations;  their 
relative  strength  is  : Old  School,  1,434  ministers,  2,092  congre- 
gations; New  School,  1,263  ministers,  1,496  congregations. 

The  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  is  organized  as  an  inde- 
pendent denomination  at  Utica,  N.  Y. ; it  agrees  in  theology 
and  internal  discipline  with  the  elder  body,  but  excludes  the 
Episcopacy  and  presiding  elders,  and  provides  lay  representa- 
tion. 

Screw  propulsion  is  introduced  into  the  U.  S.  by  the  con- 
struction of  the  Princeton,  a steamship  classed  as  a second- 
rate  sloop-of-war ; she  was  built  by  Capt.  Ericsson,  and  is  the 
first  screw  steam  war-vessel  ever  built. 

The  U.  S.  Patent  Office  grants  531  patents  during  the  year; 
among  them  are  one  to  Benjamin  Brandreth,  N.  Y.,  for  an  im- 
provement in  making  vegetable  drugs  and  pills;  to  Napoleon  E. 
Guerin,  N.  Y.,  for  a machine  for  hatching  chickens  by  artificial 
heat ; to  John  M.  and  Lyman  Hollingsworth,  Boston,  for  a 
method  of  making  paper  from  manilla  grass;  and  to  Enos  Wilder 
for  the  construction  of  a safe  of  heavy  iron  plates,  filled  with 
hydrated  plaster  of  Paris  ; this  is  the  first  safe  that  is  able  to 
stand  the  test  of  a big  fire. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $12,118,105; 
the  debt  is  $27,203,450  ; the  value  of  imports,  $64,753,799;  and 
of  exports,  $84,346,480. 

1844.  Lieut.  Fremont  reaches  the  first  waters  of  the  great  basin  which 

has  the  Walisatch  and  Bear  River  Mountains  for  its  eastern, 
and  the  Sierra  Nevada  for  its  western  rim,  a sheet  of  green 
water  some  20  miles  broad  (10  Jan.);  at  first  he  believes  it  to  be 
Mary’s  Lake,  but  subsequently  concludes  it  is  an  unknown 
body  of  water,  and  names  it  Pyramid  Lake;  he  comes  in  sight 
of  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento  (6  Feb.),  and  encamps  (20)  on 
the  summit  of  the  pass  in  the  dividii^  ridge,  1,000  miles  by 
traveled  road  from  the  Dalles  of  the  Columbia ; this  point  is 
2,000  feet  higher  than  the  South  Pass  in  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
and  many  peaks  rise  several  thousand  feet  higher  around  him; 
Capt.  Sutter’s  fort,  on  the  Sacramento  River,  is  reached  (6 
March),  and  a few  days  are  given  up  to  rest;  resuming  the 
journey  (24)  Fremont  proposes  to  avail  himself  of  the  pass  at 
the  head  of  the  San  Joaquin  River,  500  miles  south  of  Sutter’s 
Fort,  and  thence  to  cross  the  fim  of  the  great  basin,  so  as  to 


160 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

1844.  reach  the  head  of  the  Arkansas  river  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
nioiintains  ; on  23  May  Jie  reaches  Utah  Lake,  finding  himself 
.at  the  end  of  eight  inontlis  on  the  same  sheet  of  watei*  la;  icft 
in  Sept,  previous,  tlie Utah  being  tlie  soiitliern  limb  of  the  (bent 
Salt  Lake,  of  which  he  is  now  able  to  fix  the  points  of  its 
northern  and  southern  extremities ; the  party  reach  St.  Louis 
(6  Aug.)  and  disband. 

Charges  of  sedition  ;\nd  disloyalty  fiaving  been  mnde 
against  the  new  Christian  sect  at  Nauvoo,  which  had  rap- 
idly grown  and  now  numbered  over  10,000  persons,  Jose[)h 
Smith,  his  brother,  Hyram  Snjilh,  John  Taylor,  and  William 
Richards  voluntarily  surrender  themselves  to  stand  trial  on 
the  charges,  at  the  suggestion  of  Governor  Ford,  who  prom- 
ises them  protection.  He  places  a guard  over  them  in  the 
Carthage  jail,  and  the  guard,  27  June,  assassinate  Joseph 
Smith  and  Ilyram  Smith.  Taylor  is  seriously  wounded  and 
Richards  escapes.  Brigham  Young  succeeds  Joseph  Smith, 
and  to  escape  the  religious  persecution  of  the  States,  the 
Mormons  start  out  under  his  leadership  to  make  a home 
for  themselves  in  the  great  American  desert  on  the  shores 
of  the  recently  explored  great  Salt  Lake.  There  they  build 
the  city  of  Salt  Lake. 

The  new  Mexican  Congress  assembles  (Jan.),  and  votes  a 
contribution  of  $4,000,000,  with  which  to  prosecute  a. war 
against  Texas ; the  opposition  to  Santa  Anna  is  increasing 
rapidly  throughout  the  country  ; Congress  reassembles  (Dec. 
7),  when  Gen.  Herrera,  the  constitutional  leader,  is  appointed 
provisional  President,  and  a new  ministry  is  formed  ; great 
rejoicings  follow  the  overthrow  of  Santa  Anna’s  Govern  men! . 

The  President  and  several  members  of  the  Government  and 
their  families  make  an  excursion  on  the  Princeton  dowai  the 
Potomac  (28  Feb.),  to  witness  the  trial  of  a new  gun;  on  the 
second  discharge  it  bursts  and  kills  several  persons,  including 
Mr.  Upshur,  Secretary  of  State,  and  Mr.  Gilmer,  Secretary  of 
the  Navy;  the  vacancies  thus  caused  are  filled  by  the  appoint- 
ments of  John  C.  Calhoun,  Secretary  of  State,  and  John  Y. 
Mason,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Alleged  spirit-rappings  are  manifested  to  the  Fox  family, 
Hydeville,  N.  Y.,  31  March. 

A treaty  is  concluded  (12  April)  by  John  C.  Calhoun,  Secre- 
tary  of  State,  on  the  part  of  the  U.  S.,  and  Isaac  Van  Zandt 
and  J.  Pinckney  Henderson,  on  the  part  of  Texas,  for  the 
annexation  of  the  Republic;  i^  is  sent  to  the  Senate  (22)  and 
rejected  (8  June). 

The  National  Whig  Convention  assembles  at  Baltimore  (1 
May),  with  Ambrose  Spencer,  N.  Y.,  President;  a resolution 
declaring  Henry  Clay,  of  Ky.,  to  be  unanimously  nominated 
for  the  Presidency  is  carried  by  acclamation;  Theodore  Freling- 
liuysen,  N.  J.,  is  nominated  for  Vice-President. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  meets  at  Baltimore  (2^^ 
May);  Mr.  Van  Buren  has  a majority  on  the  first  ballot,  but  a 
majority  of  two-thirds  is  required  to  nominate;  after  the  eighth 
ballot  his  name  is  withdrawn,  and  on  the  ninth  the  vote  is 


History  of  the  Xlnited  IStates.  IGi 

1844.  unanimous  for  James  K.  Polk;  Senator  Silas  Wright,  N.  Y.,  is 
nominated  for  Vice-President,  but  declines,  and  (28)  George  M, 
Dallas,  Penn.,  is  chosen. 

Caleb  Cushing  and  Tysing  conclude  a treaty  (3  July)  between 
the  U.  S.  and  China,  opening  a number  of  ports  to  American 
trade  and  residence. 

Messi's.  Polk  and  Dallas  are  elected  (NovO  President  and 
Vice-President  respectively,  having  170  electoral  votes  each  to 
105  for  Messi's.  Clay  and  Frelinghuysen ; the  popular  vote  for 
Polk  is  1,335,834,  and  for  Clay,  1,297,033. 

Bills  are  introduced  (Dec.)  in  Congress,  to  provide  for  tlie 
annexation  of  Texas,  and  the  establishment  of  a Territorial 
Government  in  Oregon. 

During  the  year,  396,790  pounds  of  silk,  valued  at  |1, 400, 000, 
are  raised  in  the  U.  S. 

Among  the  502  U.  S.  patents  granted  during  the  year,  are,  one 
to  Charles  Goodyear,  for  corrugating  or  shirring  India-rubber 
goods,  and  one  to  William  P.  Ketcham,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  for  a 
mowing  or  reaping  machine. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $33,642,010; 
the  debt  is  $24,748,188;  the  value  of  imiDorts,  $108,435,035;  and 
of  exports,  $111,200,046. 

1845.  Several  resolutions  are  introduced  (Jan.)  into  Congress  for  the 

annexation  of  Texas;  a joint  resolution,  which  excites  a great 
debate  in  the  Senate,  beginning  13 Feb.,  is  adopted  therein  (27) 
and  in  the  House  (28),  and  is  signed  by  the  President,  1 March. 

Constitutions  for  State  Governments  having  been  presented 
by  the  Territories  of  Florida  and  Iowa,  Acts  are  passed  for  their 
admission  as  States  into  the  Union,  and  signed  by  the  President, 
3 March. 

In  the  closing  days  of  President  Tyler’s  administration,  an 
Act  is  passed  establishing,  as  a uniform  time  for  choosing  Presi- 
dential electors  in  all  the  States,  the  Tuesday  next  after  the  first 
Monday  of  November;  also,  one  reducing  postage  to  five  cents 
on  single  letters  carried  not  exceeding  300  miles;  over  that  dis- 
tance, ten  cents. 

James  K.  Polk  is  inaugurated  tenth  President  of  the  U.  S.,  4 
March;  hi  his  inaugural  Message,  he  declares  his  opposition  to 
national  banks  ‘‘  and  other  extraneous  institutions,  to  control  or 
strengthen  the  Government,”  and  pronounces  in  favor  of  a 
tariff  for  revenue  merely,  but  so  adjusted  as  to  afford  inciden- 
tal protection  to  home  industry. 

The  new  Cabinet  is  constituted  as  follows  : James  Buchanan, 
Penn.,  Seci’etary  of  State;  Robert  J.  Walker,  Miss.,  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury;  William  L.  Marcy,  New  York,  Secretary  qf 
War;  George  Bancroft,  Mass.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  Cave 
Johnson,  Tenn.,  Postmaster-General;  John  Y.  Mason,  Va.,  At- 
torney-Generai 

Mr.  Almonte,  tae  Mexican  Minister,  protests  (6  March)  against 
the  admission  of  Texas  as  a State,  gives  notice  of  a termination 
of  his  mission,  and  asks  for  his  i3assports. 

A large  portion  of  the  city  of  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  is  (10  April) 
destroyed  by  fire;  the  loss  on  1,100  buildings,  with  their  coi>* 
tents,  is  estimated  at  $10,000,000. 


1G2 


History  of  the  United  States. 


1845.  The  members  of  tlie  Metliodist  E[)iscopal  Church  in  the  Slave- 
holding  States,  acting  under  the  friendly  “Plan  of  Se})aration," 
declare  (1  May),  at  a convention  at  Louisville,  Ky.,the  jurisdic- 
tion ])reviously  exercised  by  the  General  Conference  entirely 
dissolved,  and  establish  ase])ai‘ate  eccl(‘siastical  connection  under 
Ihe  title  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chuidi,  South. 

President  Jlerrera,  of  Mexico,  issues  a jnoclamation  (4  June) 
declaring  the  rights  of  Mexico  in  "Pexas,  and  his  determinatioi; 
to  defend  them  at  all  hazards;  on  the  same  day,  Pi*esident 
Jones,  of  Texas,  issues  a proclamation  asserting  that  Mexico 
will  agree  to  dexan  independence  if  her  separate  existence  is 
maintainee;  the  Texan  Congr(^ss  meets  (10),  and  the  President 
submits  the  annexation  resolutions  of  the  U.  S.  and  theti’eaty 
proposed  ])y  Mexico;  a convention  of  tlie  ].eoide  of  I’exas  is 
held,  4 July,  and  the  act  of  annexation  is  consummated  by  an 
acceptance  of  our  Governments  ternw 

Ex-President  Andrew  Jackson  dies  June)  at  the  Ilermit- 
ag(‘,  aged  78  years. 

Pr('sident  Polk,  anticipating  that  the  annexation  of  Texas 
will  lead  to  hostilities  on  the  part  of  Mexico,  ordeis  (July)  Gen. 
Za<  hary  Taylor,  then  in  command  of  tioo^is  in  the  southwest, 
to  proceed  to  Texas  with  his  troo}  s and  take  a iiosition  as  neai* 
tiie  Uio  Grande  as  prudence  will  allow;  this  ai  iny  of  occupation 
aggregates  1,500  men;  while  Gen.  Taylor  is  marching  to  1 exas, 
a sciuadi  on  of  naval  vessels,  under  command  of  Commodore 
(Jonner  is  ordered  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  protect  American 
intei'ots  there;  Gen.  Taylor  selects  Corpus  Christi,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Neuces,  the  extreme  western  settlement  made  by 
the  d'exans,  for  his  camp,  and  goes  into  quarters  (Sep.). 

Considerable  excitement  prevails  in  oliicial  circles  on  the 
Oregon  question;  in  1818,  it  was  agreed  between  the  U.  S.  and 
Great  Britain,  that  each  nation  should  enjoy  equally  the  privi- 
leges of  all  the  bays  and  harbors  on  the  coast  for  ten  ycais;  in 
1827,  this  agreement  was  renewed  for  an  indefinite  period,  with 
th(i  proviso  that  either  party  might  rescind  it  by  giving  the 
other  party  one  year’s  notice;  negotiations  have  been  carried  on 
between  tlie  two  Governments  for  a settlement  of  the  dispute, 
but  as  no  agreement  is  apparent  they  are  now  abandoned;  pre- 
parations like  those  for  war  are  said  to  be  in  progress  in  Eng- 
land, while  here  the  cry  of  the  administration  is,  “ the  whole  of 
Oregon  or  none;  ” in  his  Message  (Dec.),  the  President  recom- 
mends that  the  year’s  notice  be  given  to  Great  Britain,  as  a step 
toward  bi  inging  the  question  to  an  issue,  and  a resolution  is 
adoided  in  Congress  accordingly. 

4 lie  President  informs  Congress  (Dec.)  that  Mexico  has  paid 
but  three  of  the  twenty  quarterly  instalments  of  indemnity 
moiK^y,  and  that  seven  of  the  remaining  seventeen  are  now  due; 
claims  of  more  than  $3,000,000,  left  undecided  by  the  original 
commission,  have  since  been  recognized  by  a treaty  which  has 
been  ratiliiMl  by  ourGovei*nment  but  not  yet  by  Mexico;  Mexico 
agriios  to  rinuiw  dijilomatic  relations,  and  Mr.  Slidell,  La.,  h?s 
been  simt  th(;je  to  settle  all  existing  dilliculties. 

Fremont,  now  a Ca[)tain  by  brevet,  starts  on  his  third  expedi- 
tion, having  for  its  obioct  the  BUivey  of  Oregon  and  Californiaj 


163 


History  of  the  United  States.^ 

1846.  he  advances  westward  to  the  pass  of  the  Cascades,  where  the 
Columbia  traverses  the  mountains  wliich  form  the  nortlieru 
extremity  of  tlio  Sierra  Nevada,  and  explores  that  cliain  sontln 
ward  in  the  deptli  of  winter,  passing  over  the  last  culminating 
ridge,  and  descending  into  the  low  country  watered  by  the  Sac- 
rameiito. 

Elias  Howe  com]>letes  his  first  sewing  machine. 

ddie  most  important  of  the  502  patents  granted  this  year  is 
one  to  E.  !>.  Higelow,  for  a loom  for  weaving  cart)ets. 

Congress  ratities  the  Chinese  treaty  negotiated  by  Caleb 
Cushing. 

The  national  ex])enses  for  the  year  amount  to  $30,490,408; 
the  debt  is  $17,093,795;  the  value  of  imports,  $117,254,564;  and 
of  exports,  $114,646,606. 

1846.  In  i)ursuance  of  orders  from  the  Secretary  of  War  (13  Jan.),  to 
advance  from  Corpus  Christi  to  a point  on  the  llio  Grande 
opposite  the  city  of  Matamoras,  because  it  was  believed  Mexican 
troops  were  gathering  there  for  an  invasion  of  Texas,  General 
Taylor  begins  the  march  early  in  March,  and  camps  at  Point 
Isabel,  on  the  coast,  28  miles  from  Matamoras  (25);  he  is  im- 
mediately notified  by  the  Mexican  authorities  that  he  is  on 
foreign  soil;  leaving  his  stores  there  with  Major  Monroe  and  a 
force  of  450  men,  he  pushes  the  remainder  of  his  army  (28)  to 
the  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  where,  under  the  superintendence  of 
Capt.  Mansfield,  he  erects  a fort  large  enough  to  accommodate 
2,000  men,  and  names  it  Fort  Brown,  in  honor  of  Major  Bl  own, 
who  is  t'daced  in  command  there;  the  Mexican  commandant 
fires  the  custom-house  and  other  buildings  at  Point  Isabel,  on 
the  approach  of  our  fleet. 

Another  revolution  in  Mexico  removes  Gen.  Herrera  from  the 
Presidency  and  places  Gen.  Paredes  in  power;  he  sends  Gen. 
Arnpudia  to  Matamoras  with  a large  force  to  drive  the  Americans 
beyond  the  Neuces;  reachingthe  city  (11  April),  Arnpudia  notifies 
Gen.  Taylor  the  next  day  to  withdraw  his  troops  v\dthln  24 
hours;  Taylor  refuses,  anti  Arnpudia,  failing  to  carry  out  his 
instructions,  is  superseded  by  Gen.  Arista,  commander-in-chief 
of  the  1101  them  division  of  the  Mexican  army  (24). 

A force  of  Mexicans  cross  the  river  above  and  below  the 
American  camp,  cutting  off  communication  between  Gen.  Tay- 
lor and  his  stores  at  Point  Isabel;  Capt.  Ker,  with  a squadron  of 
dragoons,  is  sent  to  reconnoitre  between  the  camp  and  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  while  another  squadron,  under  Capt.  Thornton,  is 
sent  above  for  the  same  objoG;  the  former  returns  without  hav- 
ing seen  a hostile  force,  but  the  latter  are  suddenly  surrounded 
(24  A]jril)  by  a large  body  of  Mexican  infantry  and  cavalry, 
and  after  a skirmish  in  which  sixteen  Americans  are  killed,  the 
r^nainder  are  made  prisoners;  this  is  the  first  engagement  and 
Uie  Ih’st  shedding  of  blood  in  the  Mexican  war. 

Gen.  Taylor  leives  Fort  Brown,  garrisoned  witli  a regiment 
of  infantry  and  t co  companies  of  artillery  (1  May),  and  marches 
the  remainder  of  his  army  to  Point  Isabel,  then  threatened  by 
a force  of  1,500  Mexicans;  the  Mexicans  bombaixl  Fort  Brown 
(3),  but  the  Americans  silimce  their  batteries;  another  attack, 
with  reinforcements,  is  ma  ie  (6),  during  which  Major  Brown  is 


164 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1846*  mortally  wounded ; the  signal  (heavy  guns)  is  given  to  warn  GU3n, 
Taylor  of  the  attack,  and  Capt.  Hawkins  tak(‘s  command. 

Hearing  the  signal,  Gen.  Taylor  leaves  Point  Isah(d  (7),  with 
a little  over  2,000  men,  to  the  relief  of  the  garrison;  Im  encoun- 
ters a Mexican  army,  0,000  strong,  under  Arista,  diawn  nj)  on 
the  prairie  of  Palo  Alto  (8),  and  gives  them  battle;  the  adieu 
lasts  live  hours;  the  Mexicans  are  unable  to  stand  the  destruc- 
tive fire  of  Ringgold’s,  Churchill’s,  Duncan’s,  and  Ridgeley’s 
batteries,  and  fall  back;  Arista  fails  to  maintain  tie;  battle,  and 
at  dark  the  enemy  give  way  and  tlee;  the  AnKnhnn  loss  is 
4 men  and  8 officers  killed,  with  37  wounded;  and  the  Mexican, 
200  killed,  with  400  wounded. 

On  the  following  day  (9),  the  victonous  Americans  move 
toward  Fort  Brown;  early  in  the  evening  they  discover  the 
enemy  drawn  up  in  battle  array  in  the  ravine  of  Resaca  d(3  la 
Palma;  a vigorous  action  immediately  ensues;  Capt.  May  dis- 
tinguishes himself  by  leading  a charge  upon  the  enemy’s  artil- 
lery and  ca]4uringit,  along  with  Gen.  La  Vega,  its  commander; 
the  infantry  are  ordered  to  charge  the  entire  Mexican  line;  the 
Mexicans  resist  stubbornly  for  a while,  but  soon  become  panic- 
stricken,  and  precipitately  flee;  the  Americans  enp-ture  eight 
pieces  of  artillery,  several  standards,  large  militaiy  stoi  es,  ami 
over  100  prisoners,  and  lose  in  killed  and  wounded  110,  while 
the  Mexican  loss  is  estimated  at  1,000;  Fort  Brown  sustains  a 
bombardment  for  160  hours  before  Gen.  Taylor  reaches  it;  he 
crosses  the  Rio  Grande,  drives  the  Mexican  troops  froiit  Mata- 
moras,  and  takes  possession  of  the  city  (18). 

Early  in  the  spring,  Capt.  Fremont  leaves  his  companions  in 
the  valley  of  the  San  Joaquin,  and  starts  alone  for  Monterey,  the 
capital  of  Upper  California;  when  near  the  city,  his  advance  is 
checked  by  a detachment  of  Mexican  troops  who  order  him  to 
quit  the  country  immediately f he  refuses,  seeks  his  me!i,  and, 
retiring  to  the  summit  of  Hawk’s  Peak,  erects  a rude  foj  t,  over 
which  he  hoists  the  American  flag;  after  remaining  here  a brief 
spell,  he  resumes  his  journey  up  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento 
into  Oregon;  there  he  is  surprised  by  a secret  messenger  from 
the  Secretary  of  War,  notifying  him  of  the  trouble  with  Mexico, 
and  asking  liim  to  watch  the  Government’s  interests  in  Califor- 
nia; he  at  once  returns  to  California  (June),  aioiises  all  the 
American  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  San  Francisco  Bay,  captures 
a Mexican  fort  and  garrison,  9 cannon  and  250  muskets,  at 
Sonoma  Pass  (15),  and  advancing  to  Sonoma,  defeats  the  Mexi- 
can Gen.  Castro,  driving  the  Mexicans  from  that  region;  the 
American  Californians,  under  his  leadership,  declare  tliem- 
selves  independent  (5  July),  and  place  him  at  the  head  of  their 
aflairs;  Commodore  Sloat  bombards  and  captures  Monterey  (7), 
and  Commodore  Montgomery  takes  possession  of  Saip  Francisco 
(9);  Commodore  Stockton  arrives  (15),  and  with  Fremont’s  force 
cajJures  Los  Angeles  (17  Aug.);  Gen.  Kearney  pushes  forward 
to  that  city,  and  unites  (27  Dec.)  with  Stockton  and  Fremont  for 
the  conquest  of  California. 

While  these  events  are  in  i)'rogress.  Congress  declares  (11 
May)  that  by  the  act  of  the  Rei)ublic  of  Mexico,  a state  of  war 
exists  between  that  Government  (lud  the  U.  S.;  authorises  the 


165 


History  of  the  United  states, 

1846.  Pi*esident  to  raise  50,000  troops,  and  (13)  appropriates  $10,000,000 
to  cany  on  the  war;  the  Mexican  Congress  declares  war  against 
the  IJ.  S.  (23);  Santa  Anna  emerges  from  exile  in  Cuba,  is  per- 
mitted by  President  Polk  to  pass  the  blockade,  and,  reaching 
the  city  of  Mexico  (15  Sept.),  declines  the  proffered  Presidency 
and  assumes  the  military  command. 

At  a council  of  war  (15  May),  the  Secretary  of  War  and  Gen. 
Scott  plan  a great  campaign  for  the  army  and  navy;  the  Gen. 
proposes  to  attack  Mexico  with  a fleet  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  to 
invade  New  Mexico  from  Fort  Leavenworth,  and  Old  Mexico 
on  the  North  from  Texas. 

The  President  sends  a message  to  Congress  (4  Aug.)  propos- 
ing to  open  negotiations  with  Mexico,  and  asking  an  appropria- 
tion of  money  for  the  purchase  of  Mexican  Territory  it’  such 
shall  prove  essential  to  peace;  a bill  appropriating  $2,000,000 
for  tlie  purpose  is  offered  in  the  House,  to  which  Mr.  Wiimot, 
of  Penn.,  moves  a proviso,  declaring  that  slavery  shall  never 
exist  in  any  part  of  the  Territory  so  acquired,  but  both  Houses  of 
Congress  adjourn  without  disposing  of  it. 

At  Matamoras,  Gen.  Taylor  receives  reinforcements  and  })ro- 
nares  to  march  into  the  interior;  he  sends  the  first  division  of 
iiis  army,  under  Gen.  Worth,  toward  Monterey"  (20  May),  and 
himself  follows,  with  over  6,000  men  (3  Sept.);  the  whole  army 
encamps  before  the  city  (19);  Gen.  Worth  opens  the  attack 
(20);  on  the  following  day  it  is  renewed  and  several  fortifie*! 
heights  are  taken;  the  heights  above  the  Bishop’s  Palace  are 
taken  (22);  the  defences  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city  are  evacu- 
ated that  night;  a frightful  carnage  occurs  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  city,  lasting  all  day^(23);  the  city  is  surrendered  by  Gen. 
Ampudia  to  Gen.  Taylor  (24);  the  American  loss  amounts  to  12 
officers  and  108  men  killed,  39  officers  and  337  men  wounded; 
the  Mexican  loss  is  much  heavier;  an  armistice  of  eight  weeks, 
subject  to  be  revoked  by  either  Government,  is  allowed  by  Gen. 
Taylor. 

Our  Government  orders  the  termination  of  the  armistice  at 
Monterey  (13  Nov.);  two  days  later  Gen.  Worth  takes  posses 
sion  of  Saltillo;  leaving  Gen.  Butler  in  command  at  Monterc}', 
Gen.  Taylor  leads  a march  toward  Victoria,  with  a view  of 
attacking  Tampico,  on  the  coast,  but,  learning  that  Commo  loi  e 
Conner  had  captured  it  (14)  with  his  squadron,  he  returns  to 
Monterey;  Gen.  Wool  joins  Gen.  Worth  at  Saltillo  (20  Dec.), 
and  Gen.  Taylor  takes  possession  of  Victoria  nine  days  later. 

The  difficulties  between  the  U.  S.  and  Great  Britain  on  the 
Oregon  question  are  settled  by  a new  treaty,  according  to  which 
the  nortiiern  boundary  of  the  Territory  is  to  be  49^  N.  lat. 

The  Legislature  of  111.  revokes  the  charter  of  the  Mormon 
settlement  at  Nauvoo,  and  Brigham  Young  leads  an  advance 
party  in  search  of  a new  habitation. 

Capt.  Biddle,  U.S.Navy,  sent  to  Japan  with  two  vessels  of  war 
to  open  commercial  relations,  is  refused  negotiations. 

During  the  year,  619  U.  S.  patents  are  issued;  the  most  im- 
portant are  to  Elias  Howe  for  a sewing  machine;  Prof.  Morse, 
for  his  magnetic  telegraph;  Royal  E.  House,  for  a magnetic 
tetter  printing  telegraph;  Benj,  F,  Palmei%  N»  H.»  for 


166 


History  of  the  United  States. 

184G.  legs  and  feet;  and  C.  T.  Jackson  andW.  T,  G.  Moiion,  Boston, 
for  a combination  of  ether  and  other  substances  to  prevent  i>aln 
in  surgical  operations. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $27,032,282: 
the  debt  is  $10,750,920;  the  value  of  imports,  $121,591,797;  ana 
of  exports,  $113,488,510. 

1847.  Col.  Fremont  remains  at  Santa  Barbara  recruiting  until  3 Jan.; 
he  is  informed  (11)  that  Commodore  Stockton  lias  retaken  Los 
Angeles;  two  days  later,  Mexican  odicers  come  to  liis  camp  to 
treat  for  peace;  after  a long  consultation  an  agreement  is  sigiKal 
(13)  between  Col.  Fremont  and  Andres  Fico,  Chief  of  tlie 
national  forces  of  California,  at  Couei^a,  which  terminates  the 
war  as  far  as  California  is  concerned.  The  trouble  that  has  been 
brewing  between  Col.  Fremont  and  Gen.  Kearney,  on  the  (pies- 
tion  of  their  relative  rank,  now  increases;  Fremont  is  the  choice 
of  Commodore  Stockton  and  the  coiKpiered  Californians  for 
Governor,  a position  which  Gen.  Kearney  claims  by  reason  of 
superior  rank;  Fremont,  having  acted  with  Stockton,  recognizes 
that  odicer  in  preference  to  Kearney.  At  this  time  it  was  uni- 
versally recognized  by  officers  of  the  U.  S.  Army  and  Navy,  that, 
while  Til  a foreign  port,  the  commanding  ofllcer  of  the  Navy 
ranked  above  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Army,  in  which 
case  Stockton  was  Kearney’s  superior,  and  Fremont  was  not 
merely  justified,  but  in  duty  bound  to  recognize  that  fact. 
Kearney  goes  to  Monterey  and  in  conjunction  with  Commodore 
Sanbrick  assumes  (8  Feb.)  the  office  of  Governor  and  jiroclaims 
the  annexation  of  California;  Fremont  is  ordered  to  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  for  trial  on  charges  preferred  by  Kearney  (22  Aug.), 
where  he  reports  (17  Sept.);  the  trial  opens  2 Nov.,  and])roceeds 
until  after  the  close  of  the  year;  between  the  date  of  reporting 
himself  and  the  opening  of  the  trial,  he  is  presented  by  the 
citizens  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  with  a costly  gold  and  silver 
mounted  sword  in  recognition  of  his  eminentsei  vices  in  Oregon 
and  California. 

Gen.  Scott,  ordered  to  the  chief  command  of  all  the  forces  in 
Mexico  and  to  conduct  an  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz,  reaches 
the  Kio  Grande  (1  Jan.),  makes  a rendezvous  at  Lobos  Island, 
and  lands  an  army  of  13,000  men  near  Vera  Cruz  (9  March); 
the  city  is  at  once  invested  under  the  engineering  direction  of 
Col.  Totten;  Scott  summons  the  town  and  fortress  to  surrender 
(18),  and  meeting  with  refusal,  opens  a terrific  bombardment 
from  his  batteries  and  the  fieet;  Gen.  Landers  makes  overtures 
for  peace  (20),  and  articles  of  capitulation  are  signed  and 
exchanged  (27);  Gen.  Scott  takes  possession  and  raises  the  U. 
S.  flag  over  the  walls  of  the  city  and  the  strong  castle  of  San 
Juan  d’Ulloa  (29);  5,000  prisoners  and  400  pieces  of  artillery 
are  captured  witii  the  city;  the  Americans  have  about  40  men 
killed,  and  the  same  number  wounded,  while  the  Mexicans 
estimate  their  loss  in  killed  at  1,000. 

Gen.  Taylor  forms  a camp  of  5,000  men  at  AguaNueva,  near 
Saltillo  (Feb.),  and  learns  (20)  that  SantaAnna,  with  20,000  troops, 
lias  arrived  within  30  miles  of  him;  Taylor  immediately  breaks 
cam])  and  falls  back  to  Buena  Vista,  where  he  posts  his  army  in 
a very  strong  position ; tlie  Mexicans  appear  on  his  front  (22) 


1G7 


History  of  the  United  States. 

an  . demand  his  surrender : Taylor  declines;  slight  skirmishing 
follows  : the  Mexicans  att  mpt(2*J)  to  force  the  American  lines 
by  charging  repeatedly,  but  are  completely  repulsed,  and  after 
fiercely  fighting  throughout  the  day,  the  Americans  remain 
masters  of  the  field;  during  tlie  night  the  Mexicans  abandon 
camp  and  retreat  towards  San  Luis  Potosi;  the  Ainei*ican  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded  is  723,  that  of  the  Mexicans  2,003. 

Col.  Doniphan,  who,  at  the  head  of  1,000  Missouri  volunteers, 
had  forced  the  Nevada  Indians  to  make  a treaty  of  peace, 
invades  the  Mexican  State  of  Chihuahua,  defeats  a Mexican 
force  at  Bracito,  and  hastens  to  join  Gen.  Wool;  at  the  Pass  of 
Sacramento  his  little  band  is  confronted  (28  Feb.)  by  4,000 
Mexicans,  whom  he  completely  routs;  pressing  forward,  he 
takes  possession  of  the  important  city  of  Chihuahua^  March), 
and  raises  his  flag  on  its  citadel. 

Gen.  Scott  allows  his  army  a few  days  for  rest,  and  (8  pril), 
with  an  advanced  force  under  Gen.  Twiggs,  begins  the  memor- 
able march  upon  the  city  of  Mexico,  via  Jalapa,  Perote,  and 
Puebla;  at  the  mountain  pass  of  Cerro  Gardo  the  army 
encounters  a Mexican  force  of  from  12,000  to  15,000  men,  under 
the  personal  command  of  Santa  Anna;  the  Americans,  num- 
bering 8,500,  boldly  attack  the  strongly  entrenched  enem/  (18), 
and  in  a few  hours  carry  all  the  batteries  and  entrenchinents  by 
storm;  the  Mexicans  flee,  leaving  in  the  hands  of  the  victors 

3.000  prisoners,  from  4,000  to  5,000  stand  of  arms,  and  43 
pieces  of  artillery;  the  Americans  lose  in  the  engagement  431 
in  killed  and  wounded;  this  victory  is  followed  by  the  surren- 
der of  the  city  of  Jalapa  (19)  and  cf  Perote,  with  its  fortress, 
on  the  summit  of  the  Cordilleras  (22);  the  ancient  walled  and 
fortified  city  of  Puebla,  the  most  important  in  the  country  after 
the  capital  and  Vera  Cruz,  is  entered  in  triumph  (15  May),  and 
here  a rest  is  taken,  while  reinforcements  and  supplies  are  being 
forwarded  to  the  heroic  army.  Within  two  months,  this  army  of 

10.000  men  has  taken  many  of  the  most  strongly  fortified  places 
on  the  continent,  and  captured  10,000  prisoners,  700  pieces  of 
artillery,  10,000  stand  of  arms,  and  30,000  shells  and  cannon- 
balls. 

Having  received  reinforcements,  Gen.  Scott  arranges  his  avail- 
able force  of  10,748  men  in  four  divisions,  with  a cavalry  brig- 
ade  (6  Aug.);  Gen.  Worth  is  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
first  division,  Gen.  Twiggs  the  second,  Gen.  Pillow  tlie  third, 
Gen.  Quitman  the  fourth,  and  Col.  Harney  the  cavalry;  Gen. 
Twiggs  begins  the  march  (7),  the  other  divisions  following,  8, 
9,  10;  the  grand  duel  for  possession  of  the  caj)ital  city  opens 
(20),  when  two  sanguinary  engagements  are  fought;  iu  the 
battle  of  (^ntreras  4,500  Americans  assault,  and  in  less  tiiaii 
twenty  minutes  drive  7,000  Mexicans  from  their  intrench; n -mts, 
killing  700  and  taking  813  prisoners;  in  the  battle  of  Cliuru*- 
busco,  Antonio  yields  first,  then  Churubusco  itself;  Santa  Anna 
abandons  the  field  and  flees  to  the  capital;  thus  in  one  day,  the 
Americans^  defeat  an  army  of  32,000  men,  make  3,000  prisoii- 
ers,  including  eight  generals,  of  whom  two  are  ex-Presi dents, 
and  205  other  officers,  killed  or  wounded  4,000  of  all  ranks, 


168  History  of  the  Umted  States. 

1847*  captured  37  pieces  of  ordiiaiiee,  at  a total  loss  of  1,053  In  killed 
and  wounded. 

At  this  juncture,  an  ai*mistice  is  ^’anted  Santa  Anna  (23),  and 
Nicholas  Trist,  a special  coniini^ioner  from  tlie  President, 
undertakes  negotiations  with  the  Mexicans  for  peace;  tlie  Mexi- 
cans violate  the  terms  of  tlie  armistice  by  erecting  iKiw  fortifi- 
cations, whereupon  (7  Sept.)  Gen.  Scott  resumes  hostilities;  a 
division  under  Gen.  Worth  (3,200  men)  carries  by  storm  the 
position  of  El  Molino  del  Key,  lield  by  Santa  Anna  with  14,000 
men  (8),  inflicting  a loss  of  3,000  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
prisoners,  at  a total  loss  of  800.  Now,  only  Chejailtepec  stands 
between  the  Americans  and  the  Mexican  capital;  Scott  attacks 
its  lofty  heights  (12)  with  his  batteries,  and  (13)  orders  a charges; 
the  enemy  are  routed  with  great  slaughter,  Gen.  Quitman  i)ur- 
suing  them  up  to  the  gates  of  the  capital;  Santa  Anna,  the 
Congress,  and  Members  of  the  Government  flee  from  the  city 
during  the  night,  and  6,000  Americans,  with  Gen.  Scott  at  tluar 
head,  enter  and  take  possession  (14)  without  molestation;  Santa 
Anna  makes  an  effort  to  retrieve  his  misfortunes,  but  is  defeated 
at  Huamantla  and  Atlixco  (18  Oct.),  deserted  by  his  troops, 
stripped  of  all  authority,  and  forced  to  fly  for  his  life;  negotia- 
tions for  peace  are  at  once  begun,  but  no  results  are  obtained 
up  to  the  close  of  the  year. 

Congress  authorizes  the  issue  of  Treasury  Notes  and  the  nego- 
tiation of  a loan  to  the  amount  of  $28,000,000. 

Indianapolis,  Ind.,  becomes  a city,  1 May. 

An  Indian  outbreak  occurs  at  Walla  Walla,  Oregon  (Nov.  29), 
during  which  a number  of  Americans  are  killed  and  over  50 
taken  captive;  troops  are  speedily  raised,  and  the  Indians  are 
thoroughly  routed  after  several  sharp  engagements. 

Of  the  572  U.  S.  patents  granted  during  the  year,  the  most 
important  is  that  to  Kichard  M.  Hoe,  for  a cylinder  printing- 
press. 

The  existence  of  zinc,  in  paying  quantities,  is  reported  In 
Lehigh  County,  Penn. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $60,520,851 ; 
the  debt  is  $38,926,623;  the  value  of  imports,  $146,545,638;  and 
of  exports,  $158,648,622. 

1848.  Col.  Fremont  closes  his  defence  before  the  Court-Martial,  26  Jan.; 
a verdict  of  guilty  is  rendered  (31),  and  the  accused  is  sentenced 
to  be  dismissed  the  service;  the  President  approves  the  sentence, 
but  in  view  of  Fremont’s  previous  meritorious  and  valuable 
services,  he  remits  the  penalty  of  dismissal,  and  orders  him  to 
be  released,  to  resume  his  sword,  and  to  report  for  duty;  con- 
scious of  not  having  done  anything  to  merit  the  finding  of  the 
Court,  Fremont  resigns  his  commission  in  the  army  (19  Feb.), 
and  with  a name  indelibly  associated  with  the  historical,  geo- 
graphical, scientific,  and  political  history  of  his  country,  he 
retires  to  private  life  at  the  age  of  34  years;  in  Oct.  he  sets  out 
on  his  fourth  exploring  expedition,  at  his  own  expense,  and 
with  a view  of  establishing  a home  in  the  new  State  he  had  so 
recently  emancipated . 

"J'he  Mexican  Congress  concludes  a treaty  of  peace  (2  Feb.) 
with  the  U.  8.^  at  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo;  a long  debate  folio 


109 


Mistory  of  the  United  States. 

1848.  its  submission  to  our  Senate,  and  it  is  materially  amended 
and  in  tliat  form  ratified;  the  Mexican  Senate  adopts  it  (25 
May),  and  President  Polk  proclaims  it,  4 July;  the  treaty  pro- 
vides for  the  cession  of  Upper  California  and  New  Mexico  to 
the  U.  S.,  and  the  payment  by  the  latter  of  $3,000,000  in  hand, 
and  $12,000,000  in  four  annual  instalments,  besides  assuming 
such  debts  as  are  due  by  Mexico  to  American  citizens,  to  the 
amount  of  $3,500,000. 

While  enlarging  the  race-way  of  a water-wheel  connected 
with  Capt.  John  A.  Sutter’s  saw-mill  in  the  valley  of  the  Sacra- 
mento, John  Marshall  discovers  virgin  gold  in  the  loose  earth 
(Peb.). 

Ex-President  John  Quincy  Adams  is  stricken  with  paralysis 
in  the  House  of  Representatives,  22  Feb.,  and  dies  the  follow- 
ing day. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  meets  at  Baltimore,  22 
May;  Andrew  Stevenson,  of  Va.,  is  elected  President,  and  tlie 
two-thirds  rule  adopted  ; Gen.  Lewis  Cass  is  nominated  for  the 
Presidency  on  the  fourth  ballot  by  179  votes  to  38  for  Mr. 
Woodbury,  33  Mr.  Buchanan,  and  3 Gen.  Worth  ; Gen. 
William  O.  Butler,  of  Ky.,  receives  all  the  votes  cast  for  Vice- 
President. 

The  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  according  to  the  boundary  of 
6 Aug.,  1846,  is  admitted  to  the  Union  as  a State  by  Act  of  29 
May. 

Tlie  Whig  National  Convention  meets  in  Philadelphia,  7 June; 
John  C.  Morehead,  of  N.  C.,  is  elected  President;  much  con- 
fusion prevails  because  the  mass  of  the  party  favor  the  Wilmot 
Anti-Slavery  proviso;  Gen.  Taylor,  who  is  regarded  as  an 
available  candidate,  refuses  to  pledge  himself  to  Whig  prin- 
ciples, and  the  friends  of  Mr.  Clay  are  determined  upon  his 
nomination;  the  second  ballot  (9)  results  in  the  choice  of  Gen. 
Taylor  hy  171  votes,  to  80  for  Mr.  Clay,  63  Gen.  Scott,  and  12 
Daniel  Webster;  Millard  Fillmore,  of  U.  Y.,  is  nominated  for 
Vice-President. 

A State  Convention  of  Barnburners  is  held  at  Uticr  N.  Y . 
(22,  23  June),  Hon.  Samuel  Young  presiding;  notwithstanding 
Mr.  Van  Buren’s  refu.sal  to  be  a Presidential  candidate  again, 
he  is  unanimously  nominated,  with  Henry  Dodge,  of  Wis. 
(who  declines),  for  Vice-President. 

A National  Convention  of  the  Fidends  of  Free  Territory 
assembles  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  (9  Aug.),  nearly  all  the  free  and 
three  of  the  slave  States  being  represented;  Charles  Francis 
Adams,  Mass.,  is  chosen  President,  and  strong  anti-slavery 
resolutions  are  adopted*  Mr.  Van  Buren  receives  the  nomina- 
tion for  President,  with  Mr.  Adams  for  Vice-President. 

By  Act  of  Congress  (14  Aug.),  the  Territory  of  Oregun  is 
formed  out  of  the  French  cession,  with  an  area  of  288,345 
square  miles. 

About  300  buildings  and  property,  valued  at  $1,500,000,  in 
the  business  portion  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  are  destroyed  by  fire, 
9 September. 

Boston  begin  j using  the  Cochituate  water- works  system,  25 
October. 


XIO  History  of  the  United  (States. 


1848.  A canal  coiin(3ctiiig  Lake  Michigan  witli  the  Illinois  River,  at 
La  Salle,  is  o])ene(l  to  navigation. 

A subni(3i-ge(l  cable,  coated  with  gutta-percha  as  an  expen- 
ment,  is  laid  across  the  Hudson  River,  being  a jKiition  of  the 
telegraph  service  bctvv(3(3n  New  York  and  Philadel])hia. 

A suspension  bridge,  with  a span  of  1010  feet  is  coinplet(;d 
over  the  Ohio  River  at  Wheeling. 

Of  the  Presidential  electors  chosen  (Nov.),  1G3  give  tluTir 
votes  for  Taylor  and  Fillmore,  and  127  for  Cass  and  Rutler;  Fx- 
President  Van  Ruren,  the  Free  Soil  candidate,  rec(;ives  291,455 
popular  votes,  but  no  electoral;  thirty  States  vote  this  year, 
having  290  electors. 

The  number  of  U.  S.  patents  tliis  year  amount  to  600; 
the  most  important  are,  to  Horace  H.  Day,  for  a machine  for 
])reparing gutta-percha  fabrics  in  imitation  of  leather;  to  William 
Easby,  for  a method  of  converting  fine  coal  into  solid  lum|)s; 
and  to  Henry  P.  Westcott,  for  a machine  that  will  point  as  well 
as  j^unch  wooden  pegs. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $00,055,143; 
the  debt  is  $48,520,879;  the  value  of  imports,  $154,998,928;  and 
of  exports,  $154,032,131. 

1S49.  Gol.  Fremont  reaches  Taos,  New  Mexico,  in  Jan.,  aftei*  a most 
perilous  experience  from  the  time  he  left  Pueblos  on  the  Upper 
Arkansas;  leaving  Socorro,  Rio  del  Norte,  (24  Feb.),  he  makes 
his  way  into  California  to  look  after  his  ^Mariposas  estate,  and 
while  engaged  in  searching  for  gold,  he  receivos  from  President 
Taylor  the  appointment  of  Commissioner  to  run  the  boundai  y 
line  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico.  Gen.  Riley,  the  Military 
Governor  of  California,  establishes  a judicial  system  (Aug.),  and 
appoints  Peter  H.  Burnet,  Chief  Justice;  he  also  summong  a 
convention  of  delegates  to  assemble  in  Monterey  to  form  a State 
Constitution;  the  citizens  forestall  him  by  meeting  at  San  Fran- 
cisco, voting  against  the  admission  of  Slavery  into  the  Territory, 
and  laying  the  ground-work  for  a Constitution ; the  Monterey 
Convention  is  held  1 Sep.,  and  a Constitution  excluding  slavery 
forever,  is  adopted;  under  this  constitution,  Edward  Gilbeii: 
and  G.  H.  Wright  are  elected  delegates  to  the  national  House 
of  Representatives;  the  Territorial  Legislature  meets  at  San 
Jose,  inaugurates  Judge  Burnet  as  Governor,  and  (21  Dec.) 
elects  Cbl.^Vemont  and  William  M.  Gwin,  U.  S.  Senators. 

California  starts  her  Ih’st  banking  institution  at  San  Francisco, 
9 Jan. 

The  U.  S.  S.  Prehle,  sailing  (Feb.)  under  orders  to  effect  the 
release  of  a party  of  American  sailors,  shipv»^recked  on  one  of 
the  Japan  Islands,  and  subsequently  imprisoned,  succeeds  only 
after  thi-eatening  bombardment. 

By  Act  of  Congress  (3  March)  Minnesota  is  forme.,  as  a Tcr- 
ritory  out  of  land  east  of  the  Mississii)pi  River  ceded  by  Great 
Britain,  which  for  some  yeais  had  been  a }iait  of  the  Ter- 
r.toiies  of  Iowa  and  Wisconsin;  area,  105,491  S(piare  miles. 

A ])Oi'tion  <>f  tJie  city  of  New  Orleans  is  laid  waste  by  an 
unusually  severer  Hood  (March),  which  causes  a damage  of  about 
$00,000, 0t)0. 

Gen.  Zachary  Taylor  is  inaugurahid  Nvi;lfth  President  of  the 


171 


History  oj  the  United  States. 

1S49*  U.  S.,  5 March;  liis  Message  is  very  brief,  pledgir^  liimself  to 
enforce  a strict  accountability  on  the  part  of  all  officers  of  the 
Government,  and  the  utmost  economy  in  all  public  expenditm*es. 

The  President  selects  the  following  gentlemen  for  his  Cabinet: 
Jolin  M.  Clayton,  Del.,  Secretary  of  State;  William  M.  Mere- 
dith, Penn.,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Thomas  Ewing,  Ohio, 
Secretary  of  the  Interior;  George  W.  Crawford,  Ga.,  Secretary 
of  War;  William  B.  Presto*^,  Va.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy; 
Jacob  Collamer,  Vt.,  PostnAaster-General;  Beverdy  Johnson, 
Attorney-Ge  neral . 

The  rivalry  between  Edwin  Forrest,  the  American  tragedian, 
and  Mr.  Macready,  the  eminent  English  actor,  is  made  the 
occasion  for  a popular  outbreak  (10  May)  while  the  latter  is 
playing  Macbeth  in  the  new  Astor  Place  Opera  House,  New 
Yoi-k;  a mob  surrounds  the  building  and  attempts  to  prevent 
- the  performance;  incensed  at  opposition,  tlu-eats  are  made  to 
burn  the  building,  and  Mayor  Woodhull  is  compelled  to  callout 
tlie  militia;  fair  warning  being  given  and  the  mob  paying  no 
heed  thereto,  the  military  are  ordered  to  fire;  at  the  first  volley 
the  crowd  turns  upon  the  militia,  and  severely  wounds  nearly 
200;  the  rioting  lasts  several  hours,  and  before  it  r suppressed 
several  hundred  persons  are  killed  and  wounded. 

The  business  portion  of  St.  Louis  is  destroyed  by  fire,  17 
May,  involving  a loss  of  $3,000,000. 

Father  Theobald  Matthew,  the  great  Irish  Temperance 
Reformer  lands  in  New  York  (June),  and  begins  a series  of 
public  Lvrfeures  remarkable  for  their  grand  results. 

The  8itn,  Herald,  Trih'me,  Express,  Journal  of  Commerce^ 
Courier,  and  Enquirer,  form  a syndicate  for  gathering  news, 
under  the  name  of  the  New  York  Associated  Press. 

A number  of  leading  cities  are  visited  this  summer  by  the 
Asiatic  cholera;  it  is  particularly  virulent  at  New  Orleans,  New 
York,  St.  Louis,  Philadelphia,  Nashville,  Buffalo,  Chicago,  and 
Boston,  the  deaths  in  New  York  alone  numbering  5,071. 

A great  overland  movement  of  miners,  speculators,  and 
adventurers  sets  in  from  the  eastern  and  northern  States  (Sep.) 
for  the  newly  discovered  goUL  mines  of  California. 

Edwin  Booth  makes  his  debut  as  an  actor  at  Boston,  10  Sep. 

Elizabeth  Blackwell  receives  from  the  Geneva  (N.  Y.)  Medi- 
cal College  the  first  doctor^s  diploma  granted  to  a woman  in 
this  country.  ^ 

Congress  assembles  (3  Dec.);  the  organization  of  the  House 
is  delayed  for  twenty  days,  during  which  sixty-three  ballots  are 
taken,  before  a choice  for  Si3eaker  is  effected;  the  contest  is 
chiefly  between  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  Whig,  Speaker  of  the 
preceding  Congress,  and  Howell  Cobb,  of  Ga.;  the  two  paidies 
are  very  evenly  represented,  but  the  Free.Soil  Democrats  cast 
their  vote  for  Mr.  Wilmot;  after  many  ballots  have  been  taken, 
it  is  determined  to  end  tbe  contest  by  a plurality  vote,  and  on 
the  next  ballot  Mr.  Cobb  receives  102  votes;  Mr.  Winthrop, 
99;  scattering,  20,  of  which  Mr.  Wilmot  receives  8. 

The  provisional  Governifient  of  the  people  of  Deseret  (Mor- 
mons) send  a memorial  to  Congress,  accompanied  by  a Constitu« 


17? 


'hiitvd  Slates, 


fJisfr.rii  j S:.y  I 

1849.  tion  and  form  of  State  (government,  askinj^  admission  as  a 
State,  or,  in  (^ase  of  refusal,  to  be  formed  into  a 'J\‘n’itoiy. 

During  this  year  1,070  U.S.  ])atenrsare  issued,  tiie  most  import- 
ant of  wliich  is  that  to  (joorge  II.  Coimss  for  an  imia-oveiiKMit 
ill  working  the  valves  of  steam  engines. 

4'he  national  expenses  for  th(^  year  amount  to  1*50,880,4??; 
the  debt  is  $04,704,098;  the  value  of  imports,  $147,857,489; 
and  of  exports,  $145,755,820. 

1850.  A number  of  Bills  are  intioduccd  iiito  Congress  for  organizing 

Territorial  Governments  in  California,  lleseret,  and  N<'\v 
• Mexico,  and  strong  ctTorts  are  made  to  ])iohiliit  the  extension 
of  slavery;  at  length  (29  Jan.)  Mr.  Clay  submits  (ompiemise 
resolutions,  i)ro])osing  an  amicable  anangf'inent  of  the  whole 
slavery  controvei  sy  ; the  resolutions  ai  e opj'osed  by  the  Siaith- 
ern  Members,  as  making  no  conci'ssion  to  the  South,  and  Mr. 
Calhoun  asseils  tliat  the  I tiion  is  in  danger  |j(‘cause  of  the  dis- 
content at  the  South;  Mit  Webster,  in  a great  speech,  detaiis 
the  grievances  of  the  Noith;  Mr.  Px'll,  of  ''JVnn.,  pr(‘S<'uts  a 
series  of  resolutions  (28  Fcl).)  on  the  same  subject,  whi(  h are 
referred  (17  A])ril)  to  a select  committee^,  of  whom  Mr.  Clay  is 
Chairman;  the  committee  reports,  (8  ^lay)  favoring  the  im- 
mediate admission  of  California,  the  establishment  of  'I'erri- 
torial  Governments,  withoutthe  W'ilmot  proviso,  forNewMc'xico 
and  Utah;  the  enactment  of  laws  to  seeme  the  delive  ry  of 
fugitive  slaves  esca])ing  into  tiie  fiee  States^  and  the  prohibition 
of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia;  the  Utah  Territorial 
Bill  passes  (81  July);  The  Texas  Boiun-iary  Bill  jjasses,  Senate, 
10  Aug.,  the  New  Mexico  Bill,  Senate,  14;  both  Bills  are  com- 
bined in  the  House,  and  ])ass  0 SejJ.;  the  Bill  to  admit  CaMfor- 
nia,  p'asses  Senate  13  Aug;.;  House  17  Sept.;  the  Fugitive  Slave 
Bill  passes  both  Houses  23  Aug.;  the  Bill  for  prohibiting 
Slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia — the  last  of  the  ‘‘Omnibus 
Bill  ” — passes  Senate  14  Sejd.  and  tlie  House,  17;  Cemgress 
adjourns  30  Sept.;  the  compromise  acts  aie  the  chief  featuj-es 
of  this  long  Session. 

John  C.  Calhoun  dies  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  81  March. 

A Convention  assembles  in  Phl]adel])hia,  1 April,  called  for 
the  purpose  of  promoting  the  construction  of  a national  road 
to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  through  the  J'erriloi  ies  of  tlie  U.  S.;  Col. 
Fremont,  too  ill  to  accept  an  invitation  to  be  present,  gives  his 
views  on  the  project  in  a long  letter;  he  describes  the  country 
vividly,  and  jaup/Oses  the  beLtof  country  lying  between  the  38th 
and  39th  parallels  of  latitude  as  the  most  practicable  for  the 
proj(‘cted  road. 

Gem.  LoT)ez,  a native  of  Cuba,  organizes  an  expedition  in 
New  Orleans,  and  invad(‘S  Cuba  (Cardenas,  19  April),  < xj  ei'ting 
to  head  a revolution  and  wr(?st  the  island  from  Spain;  failing 
to  receive  the  support  on  the  island  he  had  antici[  ated,  he 
returns  to  the  U.  S.  and  secretly  begins  preparations  for  a 
stronger  invasion. 

Great  alai  ni  Ixdmg  felt  as  to  the  rare  Sir  John  Franklin, 
an  English  Ai’ctic  explorcir,  who  sailed  in  May,  1845,  in  search 
of  a north-west  passage  from  Europe  to  the  West  Indies,  and 
of  whom  nothing  has  siiuie  been  heard,  Mr.  Henry  Griimell,  of 


173 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1860.  New  York,  at.  liis  own  expense,  sends  two  ships  in  search  of 
iiini  (May),  under  coimnand  of  Lieut.  DeHaven,  U.  S.  Navy. 

A treaty  between  the  LI.  S.  and  Great  Britain,  providing  for 
the  establishment  of  a communication  between  the  Atlantic 
and  Pacific  Oceans,  by  means  of  a ship  canal,  to  be  constructs  d 
by  way  of  the  River  San  Juan  de  Nicaragua  and  eitlier  or  both 
of  the  Lakes  of  Nicaragua  or  Maragua,  to  any  part  or  i)lace  on 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  i^  promulgated  by  the  President,  4 July.  It 
is  known  as  “ the  Clayton-Bulwer, Treaty.’^ 

President  Taylor  dies  in  the  executive  mansion,  9 July. 

Vice-President  Fillmore  takes  the  oath  of  office  as  President, 
in  the  presence  of  both  Houses  of  Congress,  10  July;  on  the 
following  day  he  is  succeeded  as  President  of  the  Senate  by 
Senator  King,  of  Ala. 

The  new  ft-esident  reconstructs  the  Cabinet  (15  July)  as  fol- 
lows: Daniel  Webster,  Secretary  of  State;  Thomas  Corwin,  of 
Ohio,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury;  Charles  M.  Conrad,  of  La., 
Secretary  of  War;  William  A.  Graham,  Secretary  of  the  Navy; 
Alexander  H.  H.  Stuart,  of  Penn.,  Secretary  of  the  Interioi*; 
Nathan  K.  Hall,  of  N.  Y.,  Postmaster-General;  John  J.  Crit- 
tenden, of  Ky.,  Attorney-General. 

Brigham  Young,  President  of  the  Twelve  Apostles,  prophet 
and  revelator  of  the  Mormons,  is  appointed  Governor  of  the 
new  Territory  of  Utah. 

For  the  first  time  in  its  history,  the  Federal  Government 
makes  an  attempt  to  ascertain  the  exact  development  of  the 
productive  industries  of  the  country,  leaving  out  all  establish- 
ments that  do  not  produce  at  least  1500  per  annum;  the  fact  is 
revealed  that  the  capital  invested  in  manufactures  exceeds 
$550,000,000,  and  that  the  annual  product  has  reached  the  sum 
of  $1,019,000,000. 

The  rates  of  postage  are  reduced  to  three  cents  on  prepaid 
single  letters,  for  a distance  of  3,000  miles,  and  five  cents  if 
not  prepaid ; and  double  these  rates  for  any  greater  distance. 

This  is  a memorable  year  in  the  opei*atic  and  heatrical  circles 
of  New  York;  Mr.  F.  B.  Conway,  the  English  actor,  makes  his 
appearance  (19  Aug.);  Mile  Jenny  Lind  arrives  (1  Sep.),  and 
gives  her  first  concert  in  Castle  Garden,  7;  I'eresa  Parodi 
appears  at  the  Astor  Place  Opera  House,  4 Nov.;  and  Mme. 
Ponisi  begins  her  first  engagement  at  the  Broadway  Theatre, 
11  Nov. 

Richard  M.  Johnson,  Vice-President  of  the  U.  S.  with  Presi- 
dent Van  Buren,  dies  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  19  Nov. 

The  natio^ial  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $44,604,718; 
the  debt  is  $64,228,238;  the  value  of  imports,  $178,138,318; 
and  of  exports,  $151,898,790. 

1851.  The  Chevalier  Hulseman,  Austrian  Minister  to  the  U.  S.,  issues 
a wi'itten  protest  against  the  policy  of  the  U.  S.  in  relation  to 
the  action  of  Austria  against  tiie  Hungarians,  to  which  Daniel 
Webster,  Secretary  of  State,  makes  a vigorous  reply,  Jan. 

A World’s  Fair,  held  in  an  enormous  building  of  glass  and 
Ron,  erected  in  Hyde  Park,  London,  under  royal  patronage,  is 
opened  by  Queen  Victoria,  1 May. 

A large  part  of  the  business  portion  of  San  Francisco,  em- 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1851.  bracing  2,500  buildings,  is  destroyed  l)y  fire,  8 May,  entailing  a 
loss  of  $3,500,000;  a second  lire,  22  June,  destroys  500  buildings, 
causing  a loss  of  13,000,000. 

The  increase  in  the  nuinbei*  of  States  and  '^I'erritories  has  so 
swelled  the  size  of  Congress  that  the  Legislative  halls  are  found 
inadequate  for  the  jaoper  discharge  of  i)ublic  business;  an 
enlargement  of  the  Cajatol  building  having  been  authorized, 
the  President  lays  the  corner-stone  of  an  addition,  4 July. 

Gen.  Lopez  renews  the  Cuban  excitement  in  New  Oi  leans, 
July;  early  in  Aug.,  he  sails  from  that  city  with  nearly  500 
followers,  and  lands  (11)  on  the  northern  coast  c^f  the  island; 
leaving  Col.  W.  L.  Crittenden,  of  Ky.,  in  command  there,  with 
100  men,  he  jn-oceeds  with  the  remainder  of  his  party  to  the 
interior;  the  Crittenden  party  are  cajitured,  taken  to  Havana, 
and  executed  (10);  Lo})ez  is  attacked  (13),  his  followers  desert 
him,  he  is  arrested  (18),  taken  to  Havana,  and  gaiTotted  (1  Sep.). 

The  Pro-Slavery  Party  in  California  gain  such  an  ascendency, 
that  in  the  fall  elections  Col.  Fremont  is  no  longer  in  the  ma- 
iorit}^  and  a combination  to  prevent  liLs  re-election  to  th^U.  S. 
Senate  is  successfully  made.  ^ 

Louis  Kossuth,  ex-Governor  of  Hungaiy,  is  permitted  to 
emerge  from  exile  at  Kutahai,  Asia  Minor,  and  emb?.:ks  (1  Sep.) 
on  the  U.  S.  S.  Mississippi,  selected,  according  to  an  Act  of 
Congress,  to  bring  the  noted  general  to  the  U.  S.  ; Iwe  is 
refused  permission  to  travel  through  France,  and  leaving  the 
the  ship  at  Gibraltar,  where  he  is  handsomely  received,  he 
makes  a brief  visit  to  London,  sails  for  the  U.  S.  (21  Nov.),  and 
lands  at  New  York  5 Dec.;  he  is  banquetted  in  New  York,  pre- 
sented to  the  President  at  Washington  (31),  and  to  the  end  of 
his  visit  is  treated  with  marked  distinction. 

An  unprecedented  emigration  to  the  West  sets  in  this  year; 
the  Government  enlarges  the  domain  of  available  agricultural 
land  by  purchasing  several  millions  of  acres  in  Minnesota  from 
the  Upper  and  Lower  Sioux  Indians;  removes  the  Indians  to 
another  reservation,  and  ojDens  the  rich  wilderness  to  white 
settlers.  ® 

Serious  troubles  are  brewing  in  Utah;  Governor  Young  and 
all  the  Mormon  officers  openly  defy  the  Federal  laws, 
and  endeavor  to  thwart  the  U.  S.  authorities  in  executing 
them ; remonstrances  are  sent  to  Washington  against 
Brigham  Young’s  hostile  conduct  by  Federal  officials,  and  his 
prompt  removal  from  office  is  urged. 

The  rush  to  the  California  gold  mines  is  unabated;  gambling 
and  deeds  of  violence  are  increasing  at  a fearful  rate;  so  much 
lawlessness  has  been  displayed  in  San  Francisco  of  late,  that 
reimtable  citizens  have,  in  self  protection,  formed  a Vigilance 
Committee,  to  rid  the  community  of  the  dangerous  characters 
who  throng  the  streets. 

Anothci-  great  canal  from  Lake  Erie,  extending  from  Toledo 
to  Evansville,  Ind.,  on  the  Ohio  Kivei-,  407  miles,  is  completed 
and  op(!ned  to  navigation. 

Lola  Montes,  a dancer  of  European  celebi  ity,  makes  her  first 
upixiaiance  in  the  U.  S.,  in  New  York,  20  Dec. 

The  national  expcnsijs  for  tlie  year  amount  to  $48,470, lC4; 


175 


History  of  the  United  States, 

the  debt  is  $62,560,395;  the  value  of  imports,  $216,224,933; 
and  of  exports,  $218,388,011. 

1852.  At  the  close  of  the  Session  of  Congress  (March)  an  appropriation 
is  made  for  the  survey  of  three  routes  to  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
with  the  view  of  obtaining  further  information  as  a basis  of 
legislation  for  a national  highway  between  the  Mississippi  val- 
ley and  that  ocean;  as  soon  as  Col.  Fremont,  now  in  Paris, 
hears  of  this  action,  he  determines  to  return,  fit  out  an  expedi- 
tion on  his  own  account,  and  complete  the  survey  of  the  route 
whicli  he  had  taken  on  his  last  journey,  which  he  believes  the 
only  practicable  route  for  a national  road. 

The  Austrian  Minister  to  the  U.  S.,  formally  protests  against 
the  reception  of  Louis  Kossuth  by  Congress;  no  notice  being 
taken  of  his  protest  he  retires  from  his  post,  leaving  his  ofiicial 
affairs  in  the  hands  of  August  Belmont,  of  New  York. 

A formal  proposition  for  a joint  agreement  of  perpetual 
renunciation,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and  the  U. 
S.  respectively,  of  any  annexation  designs  on  Cuba,  is  presented 
to  our  Government,  23  April;  Edward  Everett,  the  new  Secre- 
tary of  State,  makes  a lengthy  reply , 1 Dec.,  rejecting  the  over- 
ture. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  is  held  in  Baltimore, 
assembling  1 June;  Hon.  John  W.  Davis,  of  Ind.,  ex-Speaker 
in  Congress,  is  chosen  president;  the  two-thirds  rule  is  again 
adopted;  several  days  are  spent  in  balloting  for  candidates; 
Franklin  Pierce,  of  N.  H.,  receives  the  unanimous  vote,  on  the 
forty-ninth  ballot,  as  Presidential  nominee,  and  William  li. 
King,  Ala.,  is  nominated  for  Vice-President. 

The  Whig  National  Convention  is  held  in  Baltimore,  begin- 
ning 16  June;  John  G.  Chapman,  of  Md.,  is  chosen  president; 
on  the  fourth  day  of  tlie  session  and  on  tlie  fifty-third  ballot 
the  result  is:  Gen.  Scott,  159;  Millard  Fillmore,  112;  and  Daniel 
Webster,  21,  Gen.  Scott  having  a majority;  William  A.  Gra- 
ham, of  N.  C.,  is  nominated  for  Vice-Presiclent. 

Henry  Clay,  on  account  of  feeble  health,  resigns  his  seat  in 
the  U.  S.  Senate,  to  take  effect  6 Sept.,  but  dies  29  June,  at  the 
age  of  75. 

The  steamboat  Henry  Clay,  plying  on  the  Hudson  River 
between  Albany  and  New  York,  undertakes  a race  with  an 
opposition  boat,  27  July,  despite  the  protests  of  the  passengers, 
and  when  near  Yonkers,  takes  fire  and  is  burne'!  to  the  water's 
edge,  involving  a loss  of  over  seventy  lives  by  drowning  and 
the  flames. 

The  nominating  Convention  of  the  Free  Soil  Democracy  is 
held  at  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  11  Aug.;  John  P.  Hale,  of  N.  H., 
receives  the  noinination  for  President,  and  George  W.  Julian, 
of  Ind.,  that  for  Vice-President. 

Considerable  excitement  is  developed  during  the  summer  by 
the  Canadian  charge  that  American  fishers  are  violating  the 
treaty  of  1818  by  casting  their  nets  within  the  three-mile  limits 
of  the  shores;  the  British  Govei’ument  claims  the  right  to  draw 
aline  fj-om  head  land  to  liead  land  of  the  bays  in  its  Canadian 
possessions,  and  to  exclude  Americans  from  the  waters  within 
that  line;  as  an  armed  naval  force  has  been  posted  to  sustain 


Ihstory  of  the  United  States, 

1852.  tills  chiiin  an<l  seize  any  Arneriean  vess(^l  that  does  not  comply, 
the  (J.  S.  sends  th(3  Vrinceion  and  Fnlton^  st(;ain  \var-voss(*l8,  to 
tlie  coast  of  Nova  Scotia  to  i)rotect  Ainei-ican  lislKTinen. 

Daniel  Webster,  Secretary  of  State,  dies  at  Mai’shlield,  Mass.. 
24  Oct.,  ao'ed  70. 

Hon.  h^dvvai-d  Everett  is  appointed  Secretary  of  State  to  suc- 
ceed Da.wel  Webster. 

The  city  of  Sacramento,  Cal.,  is  visited  by  a fire,  2 Nov., 
which,  burning  over  forty  blocks,  consumes  2,500  buildings, 
maiMly  j-esidences,  destroying  property  of  an  estimated  value 
of  over  15,000,000. 

The  iiopular  vote  in  the  Presidential  election  gives  Pierce 
1,001,274;  Scott,  1,380,580;  Hale,  155,825;  Pierce  over  Scott, 
214,094;  over  Scott  and  Hale  together,  58,890;  in  the  electoral 
college  Pierce  receives  254  votes,  Scott,  42,  Hale  none. 

Boston  has  adopted  a method  of  communicating  fire  alarms 
by  means  of  the  magnetic  telegraph. 

Willard  P.  Hall,  of  Mo.,  submits  a bill  in  the  House  (Con- 
gress), organizing  the  Territory  of  Platte,  comprising  a vast 
region  westward  of  Missouri  and  Iowa,  13  Dec.,  and  the  bill 
is  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Territories;  Mr.  Atchison,  of 
Mo.,  intimates  (15  Dec.)  that  there  is  a Southern  combination 
to  prevent  the  organization,  westward  of  the  Missouri,  of  a 
new  Territory  in  which  slavery  will  be  prohibited. 

The  Government  has  begun  the  experiment  of  using  lenses 
instead  of  reflectors  in  its  lighthouses. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $46,712,608; 
the  debt  is  $65,130,692;  the  value  of  imports,  $212,945,442; 
and  of  exports,  $209,658,366. 

i?53.  William  A.  Richardson,  of  111.,  from  the  House  Committee  on 
Territories,  to  which  was  referred  Mr.  Halhs  bill  for  organizing 
the  Territory  of  Platte,  reports  (2  Feb.)  a bill  to  organize  the 
Territory  of  Nebiaska,  covering  the  same  region;  in  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole,  the  bill  encounters  strong  Southern 
opposition,  and  (10)  is  reported  from  the  Committee  with  a 
recommendation  that  it  be  rejected;  the  bill  passes  the  House, 
and  going  to  the  Senate  is  laid  on  the  table,  3 March. 

By  Act  of  2 March,  Washington  Territory  is  formed  from 
the  Territory  of  Oregon,  with  an  area  of  193,071  square  miles. 

Franklin  Pierce  is  inaugurated  fourteenth  President  of  the 
U.  S.,  4 March;  i,n  his  Message  he  states  that  it  is  unlikely  any 
institutions  of  the  States  will  be  endangered  if  the  Govern- 
ment conflnes  itself  to  its  constitutional  powers;  he  holds  that 
the  compromise  measures  of  1850  are  strictly  constitutional  and 
to  be  unhesitatingly  carried  into  eflect*  and  believes  that 
involuntary  slavery  is  recognized  by  tlie  Constitution,  and  that 
the  States  where  it  exists  are  entitled  to  efficient  remedies  to 
enforce  the  constitutional  provisions. 

^Plie  President  appoints  the  following  cabinet  offleers : Wm.  L. 
Marcy,  N.  Y.,  Secretary  of  State;  James  Guthrie,  Ky.,  Secre- 
tary of  tlie  Treasury;  Robert  McClelland,  Mich.,  Secretary  of 
the  Intcu'ior;  Jellerson  Davis,  Miss.,  Secretary  of  War;  James 
C.  Dobbin,  N.  C.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  James  Campbell, 


176  History  of  the  United  States, 

1852.  this  claim  and  seize  any  American  vessel  tliat  does  not  comply, 
the  U.  S.  sends  the  J^rinceton  and  Fulton^  steam  war- vessels,  to 
the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia  to  jn’otect  American  fishermen. 

Daniel  Webster,  Secretary  of  State,  dies  at  Marshfield,  Mass., 
24  Oct.,  aged  70. 

Hon.  Edward  Everett  is  appointed  Secretary  of  State  to  suc- 
ceed Daniel  Webster. 

1'he  city  of  Sacramento,  Cal.,  is  visited  by  a fire,  2 \ov., 
which,  burning  over  forty  blocks,  consumes  2,500  buildings, 
mainly  residences,  destroying  i»roperty  of  an  estimated  value 
of  over  $5,000,000. 

'Jdie  popular  vote  in  the  Presidential  election  gives  Pierce  •’ 
1,001,274;  Scott,  1,880.580;  Hale,  155,825;  15erce  over  Scott, 
214,094;  over  Scott  and  Hale  together,  58,890;  in  the  electoral 
college  Pierce  receives  254  votes,  Scott,  42,  Hale  none. 

Boston  has  adojited  a metliod  of  communicating  fire  alarms 
by  means  of  the  magnetic  telegrai)h. 

Willard  P.  Hall,  of  Mo.,  submits  a bill  in  the  House  (Con- 
gress), organizing  tlie  d'erritory  of  Platte,  cominising  a vast 
region  westward  of  Missouri  and  Iowa,  13  Dec.,  and  the  bill 
is  referred  to  the  Committee  on 'J'erritories;  Mr.  Atchison,  of 
Mo.,  intimates  (15  Dec.)  that  there  is  a Southern  combination 
to  jnevent  the  oiganization,  westward  of  tlie  Missouri,  of  a 
new  Territory  in  which  siaveiy  will  be  proliibited. 

The  Government  has  begun  the  experiment  of  using  lenses 
instead  of  reflectors  in  its  lighthouses. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $4G, 712,008; 
the  debt  is  $05,130,092;  the  value  of  imiiorts,  $212,945,442; 
and  of  exports,  $209,058,300. 

1853.  William  A.  Richardson,  of  111.,  from  the  House  Committee  on 

Territories,  to  which  was  referred  Mr.  Hall's  bill  for  organizing 
the  Territoiy  of  Platte,  reports  (2  Feb.)  a bill  to  orgaiiize  the 
^'erritory  of  Nebraska,  covering  the  same  region;  in  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole,  the  bill  encounters  strong  Southern 
opi)osition,  and  (10)  is  leported  from  the  Committee  with  a 
recommendation  that  it  be  rejected;  the  bill  i)asses  the  House, 
and  going  to  the  Senate  is  laid  on  the  table,  3 March., 

By  Act  of  2 March,  AVashington  Territory  is  formed  from 
the  Territory  of  Oregon,  with  an  area  of  193,051  square  miles. 

Fi*anklin  Pierce  is  inaugurated  fouiteenth  President  of  the 
U.  S.,  4 March;  in  his  Message  he  states  that  it  is  unlikely  any 
institutions  of  the  States  will  be  endangeied  if  the  Govern- 
ment confines  itself  to  its  constitutional  poweis;  beholds  that 
the  compromise  measures  of  1850  are  strictly  constitutional  and 
to  be  unhesitatingly  carried  into  effect;  and  believes  that 
involuntary  slavery  is  ]*ecognized  by  tlie  Constitution,  and  that 
the  States  Avhere  Jt  exists  are  entitled  to  cflicient^  remedies  to 
enforce  the  constitutional  ])rovisions. 

^J'he  lV(‘sident  a])points  the  following  cabinet  officers:  William 
Marey,  N.  Y.,  Secretary  of  State;  James  Guthrie,  Ky.,  Secre- 
tary of  the  IVeasury  ; Robert  McClelland,  Mich.,  Secretary  of 
the  Interior;  Jefferson  Davis,  Miss.,  Secretary  of  War;  Janies 
C.  Dobbin,  N.  C.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  James  Campbell, 


G.  G.  Meade.  w.  S.  Hancock. 


Federal  Generals. 


' M 


i 


177 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1853.  Penn.,  Postmaster-General]  and  Caleb  Cushing,  Mass.,  Attor- 
ney-General. 

Vice-President  William  R.  King  dies  18  April,  aged  68. 

The  Government  sends  four  meil-of-war  and  a supply  ship 
from  Norfolk,  Va.  (May),  the  whole  under  command  of  Capt. 
Ringgold,  IJ.  S.  Navy,  to  the  eastern  coast  of  Asia,  via  Cape 
Horn,  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  those  regions  of  the  Pacitic 
Ocean  which  it  is  believed  will  soon  be  traveled  by  merchant- 
men between  our  Pacific  ports  and  the  East  Indies,  and  the 
whaling  grounds  of  the  Kamtchatka  Sea  and  Behring’s  Straits. 

Another  exxiedition  is  fitted  out  during  the  sammer,  consist- 
ing of  seven  men-of-war,  under  the  command  of  Commodore 
Perry,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  a letter  from  the  President 
to  the  Emperor  of  Japan,  soliciting  the  iiegcjtiation  of  a treaty 
of  friendsiiip  and  commerce  between  the  two  nations,  and  the 
opening  of  Japanese  ports  to  American  vessels  for  trade.  ' 

Mr.  Henry  Grinnell  announces  his  wish  to  fit  out  another 
expedition  to  the  Polar  regions  in  search  of  Sir  John  Franklin] 
the  Government  agrees  to  assist  him  and  places  two  war-vesselr 
at  his  service]  these,  under  command  of  Dr.  Elisha  K.  Kane, 
the  Surgeon  of  the  first  expedition,  sail  horn  New  York  in 
May]  at  the  same  time  a similar  expedition  is  desx)atched  from 
England, 

Under  the  Act  of  Congress  authorizing  surveys  for  the  con- 
struction of  a railroad  across  the  contnient,  four  exploring 
parties  get  under  way  during  the  summer]  one  is  assigned  to 
survey  from  the  upper  waters  of  the  Mississippi,  at  St.  Paul,  to 
Puget’s  Sound,  on  the  Pacific]  a second  is  to  cross  the  Contin- 
ent from  the  Mississippi,  along  the  36  parallel  of  latitude]  a 
third  from  the  same  point  by  way  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  in 
Utali]  while  the  fourth  takes  a course  from  the  Lower  Missis- 
sippi to  the  coast  of  Southern  California,  at  San  Pedro,  Los 
Angeles,  or  San  Diego]  Col.  Fremont  leaves  Paris  (June)  for 
the  U.  S.,  and  starts  upon  iiis  fifth  and  last  trans-continental 
expedition,  at  his  own  expense,  with  the  same  object  in  view 
as  the  other  expeditions  (Aug.). 

A World’s  Fair  for  the  exhibition  of  the  industry  of  all 
nations,  is  opened  by  the  President  of  the  U.  S.,  14th  July,  at 
the  Crystal  Palace,  on  Reservoir  Square,  near  the  distributing 
reservoir  of  the  Croton  Aqueduct,  New  Y ork. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  New  York  Board  of 
Aldermen  (5  Aug.,  1851)  to  examine  and  report  upon  the 
various  sites  proposed  for  a large  public  park,  express  a choice 
for  the  tract  of  land  bounded  by  Fifty-ninth  and  One  Hundred 
and  Sixth  Streets  and  Fifth  and  Eighth  Avenues,  about  two 
and  a half  miles  long  by  half  a mile  wide,  and  comprising 
776  71-100  acres]  the  report  is  approved,  and  (23  July)  the 
Legislature  passes  an  Act  authorizing  the  purchase  of  the 
Central  Park,  and  provides  (17  Nov.)  for  the  appointment  of 
five  Commissioners  by  the  Supreme  Comt  to  appraise  the  land. 

John  Mitchell,  the  escaped  Irish  exile,  reaches  New  York, 
29  Nov.,  and  is  given  a grand  reception  in  Brooklyn,  8 Dec,, 
and  in  New  York,  19, 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1853.  The  fii'st  exploration  of  the  Isthmus  of  Darien  for  a ship- 
canal  is  made  under  the  direction  of  William  Kennish,  of  New 
York;  the  party  is  sent  out  by  J.  C.  Provost,  Commander  of 
the  British  Steamship  Virago^  in  i)ursuance  of  orders  from  the 
Commander  of  tlie  British  Squadron  in  the  Pacific;  a portion  of 
the  party  are  murdered  by  Indians,  and  tlie  survivors  return 
without  practical  results. 

I'he  first  Session  of  the  Thirty-third  Congress  convenes  5 
Dec.;  Lynn  Boyd,  Democrat,  of  Ky.,  is  elected  Speakei*; 
Senator  Dodge,  of  Iowa,  gives  notice  of  a bill  to  establish  the 
Territory  of  Nebraska  (5),  introduces  it  (14),  when  it  is  l eferred 
to  the  Committee  oiiTerritoi  ies,  whose  chairman  j Mr.  Douglas, 
reports  it  (15)  with  material  amendments. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $54,577,061; 
the  debt  is  $67,340,628;  the  value  of  imports,  $267,978,647;  and 
of  exports,  $230,976,157. 

1654.  Lieut.  Strain,  U.  S.  Navy,  starts  (Jan.)  with  a party  of  twenty 
otlicers  and  men  to  exx)lore  the  Isthmus  of  Darien  from  the 
Atlantic  side. 

Senator  Douglas,  from  the  Committee  on  Territories,  reports 
a substitute  (23  Jan.)  for  the  Nebraska  Bill,  providing  for  the 
erection  of  two  Territories,  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  to  be  divided 
on  the  40th  parallel  of  latitude,  and  permitting  the  inhabitants 
to  decide  for  themselvcS  whetiier  they  will  have  the  institution 
of  slavery  or  not,  thus  annulling  the  Missouri  Compromise  of 
1820;  heated  debate  ensues,  and  public  meetings  in  protestation 
are  held  throughout  the  Noitliern  States;  the  bill  passes  the 
Senate  3 March,  and  goes  to  the  House,  where  it  acts  as  a fire- 
brand during  an  entire  fortnight;  the  final  question  is  taken  22 
May,  and  the  bill  passes;  tlie&nate  agrees  to  it  in  the  amended 
(House)  form  ^25),  and  it  is  approved  by  the  President  (31). 

Col.  Fremont’s  party,  after  having  lived  on  hoise-llesh  for 
fifty  days  and  been  without  food  of  any  kind  for  two  days,  are 
rescued  8 Feb.,  by  Col.  Babbit,  Secretary  of  Utah  Territory,  at 
a point  four  days^  journey  from  Great  Salt  Lake;  Fremont 
reaches  San  Francisco,  1 May,  greatly  enfeebled,  and  has  to 
decline  a public  dinner. 

The  American  steamship  Black  Wariior  is  seized,  28  Feb.,  in 
the  harbor  of  Havana,  and  the  vessel  and  cargo  are  declared 
confiscated;  the  President  sends  a messenger  to  Spain  to  demand 
immediate  redress,  but  the  Spanish  Government  justifies  the 
Cuban  authorities;  a proposition  is  made  in  Congress  to  suspend 
the  neutrality  laws,  when  the  Captain-General  of  Cuba  releases 
the  vessel  and  cargo  on  the  payment,  under  protest,  of  a fine  of 
$6,000. 

Chicago  completes  its  great  water-works  system,  Feb. 

A Homestead  Bill,  providing  that  any  free  white  citizen,  or 
any  one  who  may  have  declared  his  intention  to  become  one 
previous  to  the  passage  of  the  Act,  may  select  a quaifer  section 
(160  acres)  of  land  on  the  imblic  domain,  and  by  occupying  and 
cultivating  it  five  years,  may  receive  a title  to  it  in  fee,  fi  ee  of 
cost,  is  adopted  in  the  House,  3 March;  this  also  leads  to  a 
lengthy  discussion,  during  which  the  bill  is  amended  by  fixing 
a siding  scale  of  prices  of  all  the  public  lands,  and  liimtir.g 


lllstory  of  the  iTnitect  States^  179 

1864.  the  individual  claim  to  two  quarter  sections,  and  in  this  form  It 
is  adopted  by  both  Houses. 

Having  obtained  charters  from  the  British  Colonial  Govern- 
ments for  a monopoly  of  a line  of  telegraph  between  Newfound- 
land and  the  American  Continent  for  a term  of  fifty  years, 
Cyrus  W.  Field,  of  New  York,  organizes  the  New  York,  New- 
foundland, and  London  Telegraph  Company,  at  his  residence, 
10  March;  the  company  is  composed  of  Messrs.  Peter  Cooper, 
Moses  Taylor,  Marshall  0.  Roberts,  Chandler  White,  and  Cyrus 
W.  Field,  With  David  Dudley  Field  as  legal  adviser. 

After  Japan  had  been  closed  against  foreign  intercourse, 
commercial  and  religious,  for  nearly  two  centuries,  during 
which  time  many  efforts  were  made  by  influential  nations  to 
secure  treaties  for  trade  purpose,  the  country  is  practically 
reopened,  31  March,  when  Commodore  Perry  signs  a treaty 
between  the  U.  S.  and  Japan,  amid  extrabrdinary  ceremonies 
at  Yeddo. 

A fugitive  slave  named  Burns  is  arrested  in  Boston  (May), 
and  a riot  ensues;  U.  S.  troops  are  sent  from  Rhode  Island  to 
sustain  the  officers  of  the  law,  and  the  local  militia  are  called 
out  to  protect  the  court  and  its  witnesses;  the  U.  S.  Commis- 
sioner decides  that  the  slave  must  be  returned  to  his  owner, 
and,  owing  to  the  intense  xcitement,  Burns  is  conveyed  to 
Virginia  in  a Government  vessel. 

The  President  issues  a proclamation,  1 June,  warning  all 
persons  against  taking  part  in  any  way  in  any  movement  having 
for  its  object  the  invasion  of  Cuba. 

Capt.  Ericsson  makes  a model  of  an  iron  tower  on  an 
armored  vessel,  which  is  the  first  practical  design  of  an  iron- 
clad man-of-war. 

An  enormous  emigration  from  Missouri  to  Kansas  sets  in 
immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  Territory  Act,  and  this  is 
supplemented  by  streams  from  the  North  and  East  iiianaged  by 
emigrant  aid  societies  opposed  to  the  institution  of  slavery;  the 
Eastern  and  Northern  settlers  are  warned  that  no  abolitionists 
will  be  tolerated  in  the  Territory. 

A treaty  is  signed  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico  fixing  the 
boundary-line,  and  releasing  the  U.  S.  from  the  obligation  to 
defend  the  frontier  against  the  Indians;  for  this  release  as  well 
as  for  additional  territory  ceded  by  Mexico,  the  U.  S.  agrees  to 
pay  $10,000,000. 

By  direction  of  the  President,  16  Aug.,  Messrs.  James 
Buchanan,  John  Y.  Mason,  and  Pierre  Soule,  U.  S Ministers  to 
London,  Paris,  and  Madrid  respectively,  meet  at  Ostend,  Bel- 
gium, 9 Oct.,  to  confer  upon  the  best  means  of  settling  the  dif- 
ficulties about  Cuba,  and  obtaining  possession  of  the  island; 
they  address  a letter  to  the  U.  S.  Government,  18  Oct.,  from 
Aix-"a-Cliapelle,  recommending  the  purchase  of  the  island  if 
possible,  and  if  not,  its  acquisition  by  force. 

A terrible  ocean  disaster  occurs  27  Sep.,  when  the  steamer 
Arctic  from  Liverpool,  while  passing  through  a dense  fog,  is 
struck  by  the  iron,  vessel  Vesta\  the  blow  is  so  damaging  to  the 
Arctic  that  she  quickly  fills  with  water  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of 


IbO 


History  of  the  United  States. 


1854.  olficers,  crew,  and  passen^j^tn-s,  and,  after  a three  hours’  strujr. 
gle,  goes  down,  carrying  with  tier  over  850  iKjrsons. 

After  years  of  costly  litigation  in  the  1 1.  8.  and  abroad,  P^lisa 
llowe  is  tliis  year  rewarded  by  having  liis  claims,  as  inventor 
of  the  sewing-machine,  judicially  established. 

The  Academy  of  Music,  New  Yoik,  is  formally  oi)ened 
2 Oct.,  by  Giulia  Grisi  and  Signor  Mario,  who  ai)i)car  in  the 
opera  of  “ Norma.” 

A discovery  is  made  that  Henry  Meigs  has  forged  warranto 
of  the  City  Comptroller  of  San  Francisco  for  over  |1, 000. 000, 
and  has  fled  the  country. 

The  President  appoints  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  of  Penn.,  Gover- 
nor of  Kansas,  and  Daniel  Woodson,  of  Ark.,  Secretary;  they 
reach  Fort  Leavenworth  in  Oct.;  an  election  for  a Delegate  to 
Congress  is  held  (29  Nov.)  by  the  Governor’s  order,  and  results 
in  the  declared  choice  of  John  W.  Whittield,  a Pio-Slavtay 
man,  over  J.  A.  Wakefleld,  a pronounced  Fiee-State  man;  the 
friends  of  Wakefield  claim  the  election  of  Whitfield  illegal  on 
the  gi-ound  that  several  hundred  non-residents  (Missoni  ians) 
were  permitted  to  vote. 

Preliminary  negotiations  had  been  begun  between  the  Gov- 
ernments of  the  Sandwich  Islands  and  the  U.  S.,  with  the  view 
of  annexing  the  former  to  the  latter,  and  a draft  of  a treaty 
was  completed,  when  King  Kamehameha  dies,  15  Dec.,  and  the 
new  King,  his  son,  immediately  closes  all  negotiations  on  the 
subject. 

A carefully  organized  emigration  movement  to  tlie  Mosquito 
Country  is  developed  late  in  the  year;  Col.  11.  L.  Kinney  leads 
the  emigrants  to  a large  tract  of  country,  alleged  to  have  been 
granted  to  some  English  subjects  by  the  King,  and  proceeds  tc 
settle  them;  a protest  is  sent  by  the  Government  of  Nicara- 
gua to  that  of  the  U.  S.  against  this  violation  of  the  neutrality 
laws. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  175,473,119; 
the  debt  is  $47,242,206;  the  value  of  imports,  $804,502,881; 
and  of  exports,  $278,341,064. 

1865.  The  cities  of  Brooklyn  and  Williamsburg  and  the  town  of 
Bushwick  are  consolidated,  1 Jan.,  making  Brooklyn  tiic  third 
city  in  the  Union,  with  a territory  of  22  square  miles,  and  a 
population  of  200,000;  George  Hall,  the  first  Mayor  of  Brook- 
lyn after  its  incorporation  (1885),  is  elected  first  Mayor  of  the 
consolidated  eity. 

Governor  Reeder,  of  Kansas,  causes  a census  of  the  Territory 
to  be  taken,  Jan.  and  Feb.,  which  shows  there  are  8,501  inhabi- 
tants, of  whom  2,905  are  voters. 

The  first  trains  over  the  new  railroad  across  the  Isthmus  of 
Daj  ien  are  run  from  Aspinwall  to  Panama,  28  Jan. 

The  first  attempt  to  build  a bridge  across  the  Mississippi 
River  is  successfully  accomplished  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  Jan. 

Recruiting  for  the  Biitish  Army,  now  at  war  with  the  Rus- 
sians in  the  Crimea,  is  being  carried  on  in  several  of  our  large 
cities  in  violation  of  our  neutrality  laws;  as  tlie  British  Minister 
to  tliis  count jy  appears  to  be  implicated  in  the  matter,  the 
Resident  dttmands  his  recall;  the  British  Government  declines 


AJSRAHAM  LINCOLN. 


181 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1855.  to  accede,  whereupon  the  President  dismisses  the  Minister,  and 
also  the  British  Consuls  at  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Cin- 
cinnati, all  of  whom  are  charged  with  encouraging  the  enlist- 
ments. 

An  election  for  Members  of  the  Legislative  Assembly  is  held 
in  Kansas,  30  March;  large  companies  of  men  are  again  sent 
into  the  Territory  fro  in  Missouri  to  vote;  the  judges  who  refuse 
to  let  them  vote  witliout  being  sworn  as  to  their  residence  are 
violently  thrust  out  and  more  willing  ones  chosen;  the  Govei- 
nor  sets  aside  many  of  tiie  returns  and  orders  a new  election  in 
six  districts  to  be  lield  in  May;  tlie  Legislatm-e  meets  at  Pawnee 
City,  2 July;  seats  are  refused  tlie  Prce-State  men  elected  in 
March,  ajid  given  to  those  elected  in  May;  two  days  later  a bill 
is  passed  reiiiovingthe  seat  of  Government  to  Sbavvnee  Mission, 
near  the  Missouri  frontier;  the  Governor  vetoes  it,  but  it  is 
re  passed  by  a two-thirds  majority,  upon  which  (31)  the  Gover- 
nor is  notitied  of  his  removal  from  olRce. 

The  great  suspension-bridge  across  the  Niagara  River,  below 
“the  Falls,  begun  in  1852,  is  com-deted  in  xMarch,  and  opened 
for  travel  amid  international  rejoicings. 

The  Government  desi)atches  an  expedition  under  command 
of  Lieut.  Hartstein,  U.  S.  Navy,  31  May,  to  rescue  Dr.  Kane, 
the  Arctic  explorer,  and  his  companions,  whom  it  is  feared  are 
either  ice-bound  or  dead;  the  expedition  returns  to  New  York, 
11  Oct.,  with  Dr.  Kane  and  all  his  party,  except  three  dead; 
they  had  been  frozen  in  at  the  most  northerly  point  of  Green- 
land ever  reached. 

Col.  H.  L.  Kinney  invites  William  Walker  to  assist  him  in 
developing  the  mineral  resources  of  his  Nicaragua  grant;  Walker 
leaves  San  I'rancisco  with  300  men,  and  lands  on  the  Nicara- 
guan coast,  27  June,  where  he  announces  his  real  purpose;  the 
next  day  he  atte  mpts  to  capture  the  town  of  Rivas,*  but  failing 
to  receive  the  aid  he  expected,  and  being  hard  pressed  by  the 
Government  troops,  he  is  forced  to  retreat  to  the  coast,  whence 
the  party  escape  in  a vessel;  he  again  appears  at  the  head  of  an 
armed  force,  in  Nicaragua,  in  Aug.;  his  party  assume  indepen- 
dence of  Nicaragua  and  (5  Sep.)  organize  a civil  government, 
with  Col.  Kinney  as  Chief  Magistrate;  taking  advantage  of  a 
local  insurrection.  Walker  attacks  and  defeats  a body  of  Gov- 
ernment troops  at  Vh’gin  Bay,  and  marching  to  the  interior, 
captures  Grenada,  the  capital,  12  Oct.;  he  places  Gen.  Rivas,  a 
native,  in  the  Presidential  office,  drives  Col.  Kinney  from  the 
Mosquito  Country,  and  receives  recognition  of  the  new  govei*n- 
ment  from  the  American  Minister  (John  H.  Wheeler)  and  the 
British  Consul;  Rivas  sends  a Minister  (Parker  H.  French)  to 
the  U.  S.,  but  the  Government  declines  to  receive  him. 

Owing  to  the  great  increase  in  immigration,  necessitating  the 
provision  of  some  suitable  place  for  the  reception  and  tempor- 
ary care  of  this  class  of  foreigners,  Castle  Garden,  New  York's 
leading  place  of  public  amu>S8ment,  is  surrendered  to  the  Com- 
missioners of  Emigration,  and  opened  1 Aug.  for  the  reception 
of  emigrants,  who  are  landed  there  direct  from  quarantine, 

Cyrus  W.  Field  has  a submarine  cable  made  in  England,  with 
which  he  intends  connecting  Cape  Ray  and  Capo  Breton;  JiP 


182  History  of  the  Vhited  States, 

1855.  attempt  is  made  (Aug.)  to  lay  tliis  line  across  tlio  Gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence,  but  during  the  operation  a gale  springs  up,  and  to 
save  the  steamer,  the  cable  is  cut,  and  some  forty  miles  of  it  are 
lost. 

Tiio  Free-State  settlers  of  Kansas  hold  their  first  general 
meeting  at  Lawrence,  15  Aug.,  to  form  a State  Government  and 
ajiply  for  admission  into  the  Union*  Mbona  fide  citizens  arc 
re(pi(^sted  to  elect  delegates  to  assemble  in  convention  at  TopeKa, 
19  Sei)t.,  to  consider  and  determine  ujion  all  subjects  of  publir 
interest;  at  the  Topeka  meeting  ariangements  are  perfected  l(» 
hold  an  election  in  Oct.,  for  delegates  to  a constitutional  c(  i - 
vention;  these  arc  accordingly  elected,  and  ex-Governor  Keedci , 
who  has  acted  with  the  Free-State  Party  since  his  removal  from 
olHce,  is  chosen  Delegate  to  Congress;  the  constitution  adopteil 
at  the  Oct.  convention,  is  ratilied  by  the  people  at  an  election, 
15  Dec. 

Wilson  Shannon,  of  Ohio,  succeeds  Andrew  H.  Reeder,  as 
Governor  of  Kansas,  and  enters  upon  otlicial  work  1 Sept.;  lie 
endeavors  to  iiacify  tlie  disturbing  elements, but  the  storm  gets 
beyond  his  control;  a force  of  nearly  1000  armed  men  take 
possession  of  Leavenworth,  and  create  a reign  of  terror,  whicli 
causes  the  Governor  to  call  on  the  President  1 Dec.,  for  U.  Sc 
troops  to  preserve  i^eace. 

The  renowned  tragedienne  Mile.  Rachel  makes  her  first 
appearance  in  America,  in  New  York,  8 Sept. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  year  the  Indians  begin  making  war 
upon  the  white  settlers  in  Oregon  and  Washington  Tenitories  ; 
Major  Haller  and  his  company,  on  surveying  duty,  are  attacked 
by  an  overwhelming  force  of  Indians,  through  which  they  suc- 
ceed in  cutting  their  way;  troops  are  hastened  to  the  disaffected 
parts,  but  as  they  fail  to  suppress  the  uprising,  Gen.  Wool  is 
ordered  from  San  Francisco  to  Portland,  Or.,  to  prosecute 
vigorous  measures;  during  the  winter  the  hostilities  become  so 
frequent,  savage,  and  general  that  it  is  feared  all  the  white 
settlers  will  have  to  leave.  ' 

William  M.  Thackeray,  the  eminent  English  author,  visits 
this  country,  and  delivers  his  first  lecture  on  George  I,  in  Dr, 
Chapin’s  church,  New  York,  1 Nov. 

The  first  session  of  the  34th  Congress  corivenes  3 Dec.; 
the  House  spends  the  remainder  of  the  year  in  ineffectual  efforts 
to  organize  by  electing  a Speaker;  the  President’s  message, 
received  31  Dec.,  deals  largely  with  the  constitutional  rights"^of 
the  States,  and  the  interference  of  the  Free  States  in  the 
domestic  affairs  of  the  Slave  States, 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $66,164,775; 
the  debt  is  $39,969,731;  the  value  of  imports,  $261,468,520,  and 
of  exports,  $275,156,846. 

1856.  In  Kansas,  members  of  the  State  Legislature  and  State  officers 

are  elected,  15  Jan.;  the  Legislature  assembles  at  Topeka,  1 
March,  and  organizes  a State  Government;  Dr.  Charles  Robin- 
son, the  Governor-elect,  delivers  his  inaugural;  Andrew  H. 
Reeder  and  James  11.  Lane  are  chosen  U.  S.  Senators;  a peti- 
tion to  Congress  for  admission  is  jirepared;  and  an  adjournment 
taken  to  4 July;  directly  after  the  adjom’iiment  Gov.  Robinson 


183 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

1856.  and  several  other  leading  citizens  are  an'ested  on  a charge  of 
high  treason;  in  spite  of  deniands  for  a trial  they  are  confined 
four  months,  when  Judge  Lecompte  releases  them  on  learning 
that  Gen.  Lane  is  about  doing  so  by  force;  on  the  reassembling 
of  the  Legislature,  4 July,  Marshal  Donaldson  has  President 
Pierce’s  proclamation  read,  in  which  he  declares  that  the  laws 
of  the  Shawnee  Legislature  will  be  enforced  by  the  enti  e force 
of  the  Government;  Col.  Sumner,  with  a force  of  200  men, 
appears,  and  asserts  that  he  has  come  to  dis[)erse  the  Legisla- 
ture; the  members  obey  the  order  without  atteniiding  an 
organization;  in  the  meantime  the  constitution  framed  atTopeka 
is  presented  to  Congress,  7 April,  a petition  for  admission  as  a 
State  is  rejected  in  the  Senate  and  a special  House  Com- 
mittee to  investigate  the  Kansas  troubles,  consisting  of  John 
Sherman,  Ohio,  William  A.  Howard,  Michigan,  and  Mordecai 
Oliver,  Mo.,  report  1 July  that  the  alleged  Territorial  Legisla- 
ture was  an  illegally  constituted  body,  that  the  elections  under 
the  organic  law  had  be(;n  cai-i-ied  on  by  organized  invasions 
from  Missouri,  that  neiliier  Whitfield,  the  sitting  delegate,  nor 
Reeder,  the  contestant,  is  entitled  to  a seat  in  the  House,  and 
that  a fair  election  cannot  be  held  without  tiie  presence  of  the 
U.  S.  troops  at  every  polling  place. 

The  steamship  t^acific,  with  forty-five  passengers  and  nearly 
150  officers  and  crew,  leaves  Liverpool  for  New  York,  23  Jan., 
and  as  no  tidings  are  heard  of  hei\  she  is  supposed  to  have 
foundered  or  been  burned  at  sea. 

Nathaniel  P.  Banks,  of  Mass.,  is  elected  Speaker  of  the  House 
on  tlie  133d  ballot,  2 Pebc,  receiving  103  votes  to  100  for  William 
Aiken,  of  S.  C. 

The  Central  Park  (New  York)  Commissioners  appraise  the 
land  authorized  to  be  purchased  at  |5,398,09'3,  and  their  report 
is  confirmed  5 Feb.,  and  tiie  purchase  consuniiuated,  $1,658,395 
of  the  amount  being  levied  on  the  adjoining  property  owners. 

On  the  21  Feb.,  the  Convention  of  the  National  American 
Party  is  held  in  Philadelphia;  Ex-President  Fillmore,  N.  Y., 
who  favored  the  compromise  measures  of  1850,  is  nominated 
for  President,  and  Andrew  J.  Donelson,  of  Tenn.,  for  Vice- 
President;  the  principal  feature  of  the  platform  is  that  Ameri- 
cans must  rule  America. 

The  anti-Nebraska  men,  embracmg  all,  of  whatever  ]:)arty  in 
the  past,  who  condemn  the  repudiation  of  the  Missouri  Com- 
promise, and  who  shortly  assume  the  designation  of  Republi- 
cans, hold  their  first  Convention  in  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  22  Feb.; 
their  nominating  Convention  is  held  in  Philadelphia,  17  June, 
under  the  presidency  of  Col.  Henry  S.  Lane,  of  Ind.;  Col. 
John  C.  Fremont,  of  Cal.,  is  nominated  for  President  on  the 
first  ballot;  for  Vice-President,  William  L.  Dayton,  of  N.  J., 
receives  259  votes,  and  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  111.,  110,  with  180 
scattering,  whereupon  Mr.  Dayton  is  unanimously  nominated. 

California  opens  her  first  railroad,  extending  from  Sacramento 
to  Folsom,  22  Feb. 

Brigham  Young  is  removed  from  the  Governorship  of 
Utah,  in  consequence  of  complaints  from  the  Gentile  office- 
holders concerning  the  lax  administration  of  the  laws. 


184 

1856. 


History  of  the  United  ^'^ates. 

The  niovemonis  of  the  American  filibusters  in 
last  year  le'l  the  otlaM*  goveruments  on  the  Isthinne  t(>  unite  in 
an  alliai'ce  against  tln^  n(‘w  (^overnnHMJt  of  Nicarayna;  CJosta 
Kica  (l(‘clai(‘S  war  airainst  Nicaia<>na,  and  witliin  a few  ('ays  (10 
Marcli)  Walker  sends  similar  declarations  to  C(  sta  Idea;  ;ill  tlie 
Central  Amei’ican  States  are  called  n)-on  to  assist  Costa  Ki(  a; 
the  “war”  opens  20  Marcli;  Costa  Idea  invadt's  Xiiarapia, 
in(3ets  Walker’s  troops  (1 1 A ja  il)  and  is  quickly  ded  eated  and 
driven  fi-oin  the  State;  Cen.  Rivas  i*esi<>ns  the  Rrcjsichmcy,  and 
proclaims  a<rainst  Walker,  who  (24  June)  is  elechal  Rri^sidcnt, 
and  (12  July)  inaugurated;  President  Pi(ace  recogni/,(is  Walkm-’s 
Government  and  cordially  receives  his  aml)assador,  Father 
Vii>;il,  of  the  R.  C.  Church. 

In  Washington  Tcaaitoj-y,  the  volunteers  defeat  a large  body 
of  hostile  Indians,  10  March,  whih^  in  Oi’egon  the  Indians  (25 
March)  l)nrn  every  building  in  Cas(‘odes,  as  well  as  in  the 
vicinity  of  Vancouver;  (deiiT  Wool  succeeds  in  jjutting  an  end 
to  the  troubles  in  Oregon  during  tlie  snnnner,  but  disturbances 
continue  elsewhere  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

A street  railroad,  connecting  Poston  with  Cambridge,  the  first 
seen  in  New  Fngland,  goes  into  oiicration  2(3  Maich. 

The  Adriatic,  the  largest  steamship  alloat,  is  successfully 
launched  at  New  York,  7 April,  and  attracts  wide-sjaead 
interest. 

James  King,  editor  of  the  San  Francisco  Bulletin,  is  killed  by 
Janies  P.  Casey,  editor  of  the  Sunday  Times,  of  the  same 
place,  14  May;  Casey  is  arrested  and  i)ut  into  jail,  whence  he 
and  another  murderer  are  forcibly  removed  by  the  Vigilance 
Committee,  tried,  and  executed  on  a public  thoi*oughfare; 
the  Governor  calls  out  the  militia  to  suppress  the  Com- 
mittee, who,  fortifying  themselves,  resist  capture;  having 
accomplishe(^l  the  object  of  its  organization — ridding  the  city  of 
dangerous  characters  and  enforcing  a resi)ect  for  law  and  justice 
—the  Committee  disbands  13  Aug.;  it  was  popularly  sustained 
in  illegally  doing  the  city  a grand  service. 

Representative  Preston  S.  Brooks,  of  S.  C.,  makes  a bi  utal 
personal  assault  upon  Senator  Sumner,  of  Mass.,  22  May,  in  the 
Senate  Chamber,  on  account  of  some  words  used  by  the  Sena- 
tor in  a speech  on  Kansas  affairs  two  days  before  ; the  Senator 
is  struck  with  a heavy  cane  while  at  his  desk,  knocked  to  the 
floor  senseless,  and  there  beaten,  receiving  injuries  whi(  h made 
him  an  invalid  for  four  years  and  affected  him  to  his  death;  the 
House  refuses  to  expel  Brooks,  and  he  resigns,  but  is  soon 
re-elected;  in  a civil  action  he  is  fined  |300  for  the  assault; 
great  indignation  meetings  are  held  throughout  the  North,  and 
general  sympathy  for  the  Senator  is  expressed. 

The  last  services  are  held  in  the  Old  Brick  (Pres.)  Church  on 
B(;(ikman  Street,  New  York,  a venerated  victim  to  the  march  of 
impiovenfl(mt,  25  May. 

The  village  of  Osawatomie,  Kansas,  is  sacked  and  burned,  5 
June,  by  a Pro-Slavcny  combination,  headed  by  Gen.  Whitfield; 
Leavenworth  is  seized  (1  Sep.)  by  a large  force,  mainly  froa? 


History  of  the  ViiUK^d  States,  184 

1856*  Missouri,  who  murder  and  plunder  without  material  opposition. 

Tlie  National  Democratic  Convention  is  held  5 June,  in  Cin- 
cinnati, 0.;  James  Buchanan,  of  Penn,  ex-Minister  to  England, 
is  nominated  for  President,  and  John  C.  Breckenridge,  of  Ky., 
for  Vice-President. 

The  tirst  statue  in  modern  New  York,  an  equestrian  one  of 
Washington,  is  set  up,  July,  at  the  lower  end  of  Union  Square; 
in  the  same  month  the  Common  Council  authorizes  the  erection 
of  a monument  to  Gen.  Worth,  on  Fifth  Avenue  and  Broad- 
way; ground  is  broken  for  the  Kidgewood  (Brooklyn,  N.  Y.) 
water- works,  31. 

Hartford’s  (Conn.)  historic  pride,  the  Charter  Oak  Tree,  is 
blown  down,  21  Aug. 

Gov.  Shannon,  of  Kansas,  is  informed,  21  Aug.,  of  his 
removal  from  office;  his  successor,  John  W.  Geary,  appointed 
in  July,  reaches  Fort  Leavenworth,  9 Sep. 

Cyrus  W.  Field  succeeds  in  establishing  telegraphic  com- 
munication between  Newfoundland  and  the  U.  S.;  the  lu'oject 
for  the  main  line  across  the  ocean  is  favorably  considered  by 
Great  Britain  and  the  U.  S.,  who  detail  men-of-war  to  lay  the 
cable;  Mr.  Field  goes  to  England,  organizes  the  Atlantic  Tele- 
graph Company,  and  starts  the  manufacture  of  the  cable. 

The  liip-Kap  riots  break  out  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  12  Sep.,  and 
are  renewed  8 Oct.,  while  a desperate  political  fight  occurs  on 
election  day  and  night. 

The  manufacture  of  condensed  milk  is  begun  in  Coiwi. 

Charles  P.  Huntington,  of  New  York,  is  discovered  to  have 
forged  commercial  paper  to  the  amount  oi  over  $15,000,000; 
insanity  is  set  up  in  his  defense. 

The  second  railroad  bridge  across  the  Mississippi  River,  1582 
feet  long,  is  completed  at  Rock  Island,  111. 

Congress  makes  a grant  of  public  lands  in  Alabama,  Florida, 
Louisiana,  Minnesota,  Mississippi,  Michigan,  and  Wisconsm,  to 
assist  in  the  building  of  railroads. 

A vessel  makes  the  passage  from  Milwaukee  to  Europe,  for 
the  first  time,  ma  the  great  lakes,  the  Welland  Canal,  and  the 
St.  Lawrence  River. 

Steel  is  produced  by  the  Bessemer  process  at  Phillipsburg,  N. 
J.,  from  Sussex  County  iron. 

In  the  Presidential  election  (4  Nov.),  Mr.  Buchanan  receives 
1,839,169  popular  votes;  Col.  Fremont,  1,341,264;  and  Mr.  Fill- 
more, 874,534;  thirty-one  States,  with  296  electors,  vote,  giving 
Buchanan  174,  Fremont  114,  and  Fillmore  8. 

The  receipts  of  the  post-office  department  for  the  year  amount 
to  $7,620,801,  and  the  expenditures  to  $10,407,868. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $72,726,341; 
the  debt  is  $30,963,909;  the  value  of  imports,  $314,639,943;  and 
of  exi)orts,  $326,964,908. 

1857.  The  Free-State  Legislatm-e  of  Kansas,  under  the  Topeka  Consti- 
tution, meets  at  Topeka,  6 Jan.;  a Deputy  Marshal  arrests  seven 
members  under  a writ  issued  by  Judge  Cate,  but  they  refuse  to 
go  with  him;  two  days  later  the  Marshal  returns  with  assistance 
and  arrests  a dozen  or  more  of  the  members  with  the  presiding 
officers;  the  Members  of  both  Houses  meet  in  joint  session. 


186  History  of  the  United  States, 

1857.  adopt  a memorial  to  Congress'  and  adjourn  to  June;  the  Terri- 
torial Legislature  meets  at  Locoiripton,  12  Jan.;  it  ])asses  an  Act 
to  allow  judges  to  take  bail  in  all  cas(;s  of  crime,  the  Governor 
vetoes  it,  but  it  is  re-passcd;  an  Act  is  passed  providing  fora 
Constitutional  Convention,  the  election  to  be  in  June  and  the 
Convention  at  Lecompton,  in  Sep.;  this  is  vetoed  and  re-passed; 
Kobert  J.  Walker,  of  Miss.,  is  a])|)ointed  Governor,  to  succeed 
J.  W.  Geary,  and  Frederick  P.  Stanton,  of  Tenn.,  Secretary; 
^ nolle  pros  is  entered,  11  INIay,  on  the  indictments  for  treason^ 
against  Gov.  Kobinson  and  other  members  of  the  Topeka 
Legislature. 

The  city  of  New  York  is  thrown  into  unusual  excitement,  31 
Jan.,  by  the  discovery  that  Dr.  Harvey  Burdell,  a well-known 
dentist,  living  at  31  Bond  Street,  lias  been  murdered  in  his  bed- 
room; Mrs.  Cimningbam,  a widow  who  hires  the  house  of  the 
doctor  and  who  claims  to  have  been  jirivately  married  to  him, 
with  Messrs.  Eckel  and  Snodgi'ass,  two  of  her  lodgei*s,  are  cir- 
cumstantially implicated  and  arrested,  but  nothing  is  ever  proved 
against  them. 

James  Buchanan  is  inaugurated  fifteenth  President  of  the  U. 
S.,  4 March;  he  selects  the  following  as  his  cabinet  officers: 
Lewis  Cass,  Mich.,  Secretary  of  State;  Howell  Cobb,  Ga.,  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury;  Jacob  Thompson,  Miss.,  Secretary  of 
the  Interior;  Isaac  Toueey,  Conn.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy; 
John  B.  Floyd,  Va.,  Secretary  of  War;  Jeremiah  S.  Black, 
Penn.,  Attorney-General:  and  Aaron  V.  Brown,  Tenn.,  Post- 
master-General. 

Dred  Scott,  a negro  slave,  had  been  taken  from  Missouri  into 
Illinois  by  a former  master,  and  after  being  held  there  a slave 
for  two  years,  was  removed  to  Minnesota,  where  he  married  a 
female  slave  of  the  same  master;  Scott,  with  his  wife  and 
daughter,  was  removed  to  Missouri  in  1838  and  sold  to  John  F. 
A.  Sanford;  he  then  sued  for  the  freedom  of  himself  and 
family,  and  obtained  judgment  in  his  favor  in  the  Missouri 
Circuit  Court ; the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  reversed  the 
judgment,  and  the  case  was  taken  to  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court ; Chief  Justice  Taney,  on  behalf  of  the  majority  of 
the  Court,  pronounces  judgment  (6  March),  reversing  the 
judgment  of  the  District  Court  and  directing  the  dismissal 
of  the  suit  for  want  of  jurisdiction  ; he  calls  attention  to  the 
fact  that  negro  slaves  bad  no  rights  either  before  or  after  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution,  that  they  have  always  been  con- 
sidered property,  and  cannot  be  naturalized  as  citizens. 

Employes  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  go  on  a strike 
(29  April),  and  for  s^^veral  days  have  stubborn  tights  with  the 
I)olice  guarding  the  'Hih-oad  in'<^l>ei'ty;  the  Goveiaior  issues  a 
proclamation  and  rails  out  the  State  trooi)S  to  quell  the  riots. 

The  combination  of  the  Central  American  States  against 
Walker’s  Nicai-aguan  Government  proves  etfective;  he  is  com- 
pelled to  surrender  the  remainder  of  his  army,  20  May,  at 
Kivas,  and  with  a few  ])ersonal  followers  is  saved  by  Com- 
modore Davis,  U.  S.  Navy;  landing  at  New  Orleans  he  begins 
fitting  out  another  expedition,  and  (25  Nov.)  effects  a landing  at 
Puenta  Arenas,  where  (3  Dec.)  he  is  seized,  with  his  army  of 


18? 


tlistOTy  of  the  United  States. 

1857.  232  men,  by  Commodore  Paulding,  U.  S.  Navy,  and  taken  to 

New  York. 

The  lines  of  canals  and  railroads  constructed  by  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  at  a cost  of  upwards  of  $12,000,000,  to  con- 
nect Philadelphia  with  Pittsburg  (1831),  are  sold  to  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Kailroad  Company,  25  June,  for  $7,500,000. 

By  Act  of  tlie  Legislature,  the  Police  Department  of  New 
York  is  transfen-ed  from  the  City  to  the  State  authorities;  Mayor 
Wood  determines  to  test  the  constitutionality  of  the  Act  and  to 
resist  its  execution;  he  refuses  to  surrender  police  property  or 
to  disband  the  old  forCe;  conflicts  ensue  between  the  officers  of 
the  Metropolitan  and  the  Municipal  Police;  the  Seventh  Kegi- 
ment  stops  at  the  City  Hall  while  on  its  way  to  take  the  boat  for 
Boston,  and  quells  a riot  there;  GTen.  Sandford  orders  nine 
regiments  under  arms  to  preserve  the  peace;  the  Metropolitan 
Police  Act  is  declared  constitutional  (1  July)  by  the  Court  of 
Appeals;  on  the  evening  of  the  3d,  the  city  is  plunged  into  the 
wildest  disorder;  the  Dead  Rabbits  and  the  Bowery  Boys  begin 
a series  of  street  fights  in  Bayard  Street;  the  rioters  drive  off 
the  police  and  barricade  the  streets;  the  Seventh  Regiment  is 
summoned  home  by  telegraph,  and  all  the  militia  are  ordered 
out;  the  riot  is  quelled  in  the  afternoon  (4),  but  breaks  out 
again  the  next  day,  when  the  militia  disperses  the  crowd;  fur- 
ther outbreaks  occur  (13,  14),  which  the  police  suppress. 

The  U.  S.  S.  frigate  Niagara^  attended  by  the  Susquehanna^ 
detailed  to  lay  one  half  of  die  Atlantic  Cable,  and  the  British 
frigate  Agameminon,  attended  by  four  rnen-of-war,  detailed  to 
lay  the  other  half,  receive  their  allotted  quantity  of  wire;  the 
Niagara  lands  the  end  of  her  cable  at  Valentia  Bay,  Aug.  5, 
and  sets  sail  for  mid-ocean,  where  the  S[)lice  with  the  Agamem- 
portion  is  to  be  made;  during  a heavy  swell  (11)  the  wire  on 
the  Niagara  breaks  and  400  miles’  length  of  it  is  lost.  ' 

A great  financial  storm  breaks  upon  the  country;  the  Ohio 
Life  and  Trust  Company  sus])ends,  24  Aug.,  for  the  enormous 
sum  of  $7,000,000;  this  is  followed  by  die  suspension  of  the 
Philadelphia  banks  (25,  26  Sep.),  and  a general  suspension 
in  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  the  District  of  Columbia,  and 
Rhode  Island;  a run  upon  the  banks  lea  Is  the  New  York 
Legislature,  13,  14  Oct.,  to  authorize  a suspension  of  specie 
payments  by  the  banks  for  one  year;  the  city  banks  resume 
payment,  24  Dec.,  and  on  the  same  day  the  Massachusetts 
banks  suspend;  the  panic  becomes  universal  throughout  the 
country,  thousands  of  manufactories  ar  compelled  to  stop 
work,  and  prompt  measures  are  taken  in  the  large  cities  to 
relieve  the  suffering  of  the  unemployed  and  to  guard  against 
bread  riots;  the  failures  during  the  year  amount  to  5,123,  and 
the  liabilities  to  $291,750,000. 

A national  emancipation  society  is  formed  at  Cleveland,  O., 
26  Aug.,  for  the  purpose  of  endeavoring  to  suppress  slavery  by 
getting  the  Government  to  purchase  and  liberate  all  slaves. 

The  steamer  Central  America  leaves  Havana  for  New  York, 
with  600  persons  on  board,  8 Sep.;  the  vessel  springs  a leak  in 
. a heavy  storm  ( '1),  tmd  hands  have  to  work  for  their  lives; 
t.  passing  vessel  takes  oL  about  100  persons  (12),  and  shortlj 


188 


History  of  the  United  States, 


1867.  afterwards  the  steamer  goes  down  suddenly  with  over  400  per 
sons,  besides  treasure  estimattMl  at  over  $2,000,000. 

An  emigrant  ])arty  of  lijO  ])e]-sons,  ])rovided  with  all  the  means 
of  agricultui*al  life,  canrps  at  Mountain  Meadow,  at  the  south  end 
of  Salt  Lake  Valley,  Utah,  Sej).;  shortly  afterwards  they  are  as- 
saulted by  Indians  and  some  whites,  said  to  be  Mormons  under  the 
direction  of  John  U.  Lee,  and  compelled  to  sui-render  all  their 
property;  starting  on  their  return  to  C(Mlar  City,  they  are  sud- 
denly surprised,  and  120  of  their  num])er  are  killed. 

President  Buchanan  sends  a lai-ge  body  of  U.  S.  troops  to 
Utah  to  com])el  an  observance  of  the  laws  by  the  Mormons,  aiid 
ai)i)oints  Alfred  Cumming  and  Judge  Eckels,  Governor  and 
Chief  Justice  respectively;  Ihlghani  Young  ])rei)aies  to  resist 
the  military,  and  warns  all  bodies  of  armed  men  against  enter- 
ing the  territory;  the  U.  S.  Grand  Jury  indicts  Young  and  a 
number  of  the  Mormon  leaders  for  high  treason. 

The  first  Session  of  tiie  85th  Congress  opens,  7 Dec.; 
James  L.  Ojt,  Democrat,  of  S.  C.,  is  elected  Speaker  of  the 
House,  over  Galusha  A.  Grow,  Republican,  of  Penn.;  in  his 
Message,  the  President  recommends  a bankrupt  law  for  banking 
institutions,  a railroad  to  the  Pacific,  and  the  establishment  of 
a Territorial  Government  over  Arizona,  incorporating  with  it 
portions  of  New  Mexico. 

Gov.  Walker,  of  Kansas,  resigns  his  position,  15  Dec.;  the 
election  for  voting  upon  the  slavery  clauses  of  the  Lecompton 
Constitution  is  held,  21,  the  Free-State  men  not  voting;  the  Con- 
stitution with  slavery  receives  6,143  votes,  and  the  Constitution 
without  slavery,  569. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $71,274,587; 
the  debt  is  $29,060,386;  the  value  of  imiiorts,  $362,890,141;  and 
of  exports,  $362,960,608.  ^ 

1868.  The  Territorial  Legislature  of  Kansas,  convened  by  order  of 

Gov.  Stanton,  had  provided  for  an  election  to  be  held  4 Jan.;  this 
results  in  138  votes  for  the  Constitution  with  slavery,  24  for  the 
Constitution  without  slavery,  and  10,226  against  the  Constitution; 
on  the  same  day  State  Officers,  a Representative  to  Congress, 
and  a Legislature  are  chosen  under  the  Lecompton  Constitu- 
tion, the  Free  State  Party  again  declining  to  vote. 

President  Bucntix^an  ja-ivately  commends  Commodore  Pauld- 
ing for  arresting  the  fillibuster  Walker,  but  (7  Jan.)  publicly 
condemns  him  in  a message  to  Congress  for  violating  the 
sovereignty  of  a foreign  nation;  Walker  is  released  from  arrest, 
and  proceeds  to  Mobile  to  organize  his  thuxl  expedition. 

Messrs.  Olmstead  and  Vaux  begin  the  work  of  beautifying 
Central  Park,  April. 

A bill,  which  inactically  agrees  to  admit  Kansas  as  a State 
immediately  with  slavery,  but  otherwise  denies  admission  until 
the  population  reaches  93,340,  passes  both  Houses  of  Congress, 
30  April. 

An  understanding  is  reached  (March)  b 'tween  the  new  Gov- 
ernor of  Utah  and  the  Mormon  leaders,  i o Commissioners 
from  the  Pi  esident,  olYeiing  ])ardon  to  a>  Mormons  who  will 
submit  to  Federal  authority,  arrive  in  Salt  i jtike  City,  May;  the 

Chrn’ch  accepts  the  offer,  and  peace  is  apparently  restored* 


188 


History  of  the  United  States. 


1857.  Jiftcrwards  the  Rteanicr  goes  down  Biiddenly  witli  over  400  per- 
sons, besides  treasure  estimated  at  over  ?;2,000,000. 

An  emigrant  ])ai-ty  of  130  i)ersons,  provided  witli  all  the  means 
of  agi’icultural  life,  cam])S  at  Mountain  Meadow*,  at  the  south  end 
of  Salt  Lake  Valley,  Utah,  Sep.;  shonl}'  afterw^ards  they  are  as- 
saulted b}'  ] ndians  and  some  w hites,  said  to  be  Mormons  under  the 
direction  of  John  D.  Lee,  and  coni]>elled  to  surrender  all  their 
projjerty;  starting  on  their  return  to  Cedar  City,  they  are  sud- 
denly surprised,  and  120  of  their  number  are  killed. 

President  Buchanan  sends  a large  body  of  U.  S.  troops  to 
Utah  to  coni])el  an  observance  of  the  law  s by  the  Mormons,  and 
a]>])oints  Alfred  Cumming  and  Judge  Eckels,  Governor  and 
Chief  Justice  resj)ectively;  Ih  igham  Young  prei)aies  to  resist 
the  military,  and  w'arns  all  bodie»  of  armed  men  against  enter- 
ing the  territory;  the  U.  S.  (^rand  Jury  indicts  Young  and  a 
ninnber  of  *the  Mormon  leaders  for  high  treason. 

"J3ie  lirst  Session  of  the  35th  Congress  opens,  7 Dec.; 
James  L.  Orr,  Dcanocrat,  of  S.  C.,  is  elected  Speaker  of  the 
House,  over  Galusha  A.  Grow*,  Republican,  of  Penn.;  in  his 
Message,  the  President  recommends  abankriipt  law*  for  banking 
institutions,  a railroad  to  the  I’acific,  and  the  establishment  of 
a 'JVrritorial  Government  over  Arizona,  incorporating  with  it 
portions  of  New^  Mexico. 

Gov.  Walker,  of  Kansas,  resigns  Ids  position,  15  Dec.;  the 
election  for  voting  upon  the  slavery  clauses  of  the  Lecom]>ton 
Constitution  is  held,  21,  the  Free-State  men  not  voting;  the  Con- 
stitution with  slavery  receives  0,143  votes,  and  the  Constitution 
w’ithout  slaveiy,  569. 

^liie  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $71,274,587; 
the  debt  is  $29,000,380;  the  value  of  imports,  $302,890,141;  and 
of  exports,  $302,900,008. 

1858.  The  Territorial  Legislature  of  Kansas,  convened  by  order  of 
Gov.  Stanton,  had  provided  for  an  election  to  be  held  4 Jan.;  this 
results  in  138  votes  for  the  Constitution  w*ith  slavery,  24  for  the 
Constitution  w ithout  slavery,  and  10,226  against  the  Constitution; 
on  the  same  day  State  Ofiiceis,  a Representative  to  Congress, 
and  a Legislature  are  chosen  under  the  Lecotnpton  Constitu- 
tion, the  Fr(‘e  State  Party  again  declining  to  vote. 

President  Buchanan  privately  commends  Commodore  Pauld- 
ing for  arresting  the  filibuster  Walker,  but  (7  Jan.)  publicl}* 
condemns  him  in  a message  to  Congress  for  violating  the 
F.ovcreignt}*  of  a foreign  nation;  Walker  is  released  from  arrest, 
and  ])roceeds  to  Mobile  to  orgaidze  his  third  expedition. 

Dlessrs.  Olmstead  and  Vaux  begin  the  w ork  of  beautifying 
C(*ntral  Park,  April. 

A bill,  which  inactically  agrees  to  admit  Kansas  as  a State 
imm(‘diately  with  slavery,  but  otherwise  denies  admission  until 
the  j>oj>ulation  reaches  93,340,  jaisses  both  Houses  of  Congress, 
30  Ajail. 

An  und(n*standing  is  reached  (March)  between  the  new*  Gov- 
ernor of  Utah  and  the  Mormon  leaders,  and  two  Commissioners 
from  the  President, otTering  ]»ardon  to  all  Mormons  who  will 
submit  to  Federal  authority,  arrive  in  Salt  Lake  City,  May;  the 
“ Church  accepts  the  olTcr,  and  peace  is  apparently  restoied. 


History  of  the  United  States^ 


189 


1858.  By  Act  of  Congress,  11  May,  Minnesota  is  admitted  into  the 
Union  as  a State,  ’vvith  an  area  of  83,531  square  miles. 

The  United  Presbyterian  Church  is  formed  in  Pittsburg, 
Penn.,  20  May,  b}^  a consolidation  of  the  Associate  and  the 
Associate  Reformed  Churches  of  North  America. 

Most  of  the  conferences  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Cliurch 
become  intensely  anti-slavery;  they  demand  of  the  General  Con- 
ference Avhich  meets  in  Lynchburg,  Va.,  in  May,  such  legisla- 
lation  as  shall  exclude  slaveholders  from  the  communion  of  the 
Church;  as  the  General  Conference  refuses  to  comply,  nineteen 
annual  conferences  send  delegates  to  a convention  which  meets 
in  Springfield,  0.,  10  Nov.,  when  all  communication  is  suspended 
with  other  portions  of  the  Church  so  long  as  they  countenance 
slavery.  Subsequently  tliese  conferences  secede  from  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  with  a number  of  other  non- 
Episcopal  Methodist  bodies  organize  “The  Methodist  Church.” 

The  U.  S.  and  British  war-vessels  sail  from  Plymouth  Sound, 
England,  with  a new  cable  on  board,  10  June;  they  meet  with 
heavy  weather,  but  (26)  make  the  splice;  it  parts  almost  immedi- 
ately, and  a second  splicing  (28)  has  the  same  fate,  the  cable 
breaking  twice  on  the  Hiagava  and  once  (29)  on  the  Agamem^ 
noiiy  both  vessels  put  back  to  Queenstown,  whence  they  sail, 
17  July;  a splice  is  made  in  a few  days,  and  the  vessels  part,  the 
Agamemnon  and  Fa^orc'W^lieading  for  Ireland,  and  the  Niagara 
and  Gorgon  for  Newfoundland;  landings  are  made  (4,  5 Aug.), 
and  messages  are  exchanged  tiirough  the  cable  between  Queen 
V^ictoria  and  President  Buchanan,  16;  the  achievement  is  cele- 
brated in  New  York,  1 Se^).  by  the  grandest  demonstration 
heretofore  seen. 

Tlie  remains  of  President  Monroe  are  removed  from  the 
Marble  Cemetery,  New  York,  3 July,  and  escorted  to  Richmond, 
Va.,  by  the  Seventh  Regiment. 

Determined  that  their  shores  shall  no  longer  be  used  for 
quarantine  purposes,  the  populace  of  Staten  Island  organize 
themselves,  and,  inarching  to  the  hospital  buildings  atCastieton, 
remove  the  sick  from  theVards,  drive  off  the  officers,  and  burn 
all  the  buildings. 

Cooper  Institute,  erected  by  Peter  Cooper,  at  a cost  of  over 
< ^600,000,  for  the  purpose  of  furnisliing  popular  instruction 

free,  is  thrown  open  to  the  public. 

The  Lecompton  Constitution  in  Kansas  is  rejected  in  a special 
election,  2 Aug.,  tiie  vote  on  the  proposition  of  Congi'ess  and 
admission  being  1,788  for,  to  11,088  against. 

Archbishop  Hughes  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  Roman 
Catholic  Cathedral,  on  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  15  Aug. 

Wliile  attempting  to  fumigate  the  steamer  Austria,  bound 
from  Hamburg  to  New  York,  with  425  jiassengers  and  113  oflicers 
and  crcAv  on  board,  13  Sep.  the  vessel  takes  fire  and  gets  beyond 
control;  ninety-nine  persons  are  saved  by  passing  vessels,  but 
the  rest  are  lost  by  drowning  and  the  fiaines. 

The  famous  Crystal  Palace,  in  New  York,  is  destroyed  by  fire, 
together  with  a rich  collection  of  tlie  Fak*  of  the  American 
Listitute,  on  exliibition,  5 Oct. 


>1 


ISistory  of  the  United  States.  189 

By  Act  of  Congress,  11  May,  Minnesota  is  admitted  Into  th^ 
Union  as  a State,  with  an  area  of  83,581  square  miles. 

The  United  Presbyterian  Church  is  formed  in  Pittsburg, 
Penn.,  26  May,  by  a consolidation  of  the  Associate  and  the 
Associate  Reformed  Churches  of  North  America. 

Most  of  the  conferences  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
become  intensely  anti-slavery;  they  demand  of  the  General  Con- 
ference which  meets  in  Lynchburg,  Va.,  in  May,  such  legisla- 
lation  as  shall  exclude  slaveholders  from  the  communion  of  the 
Church;  as  the  General  Conference  refuses  to  comply,  nineteen 
annual  conferences  send  delegates  to  a convention  which  meets 
in  Springfield,  ().,  10  Nov.,  whenall  communication  is  suspended 
with  other  portions  of  the  Church  so  long  as  they  countenance 
slavery.  Subsequently  these  conferences  secede  from  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  with  a number  of  other  non- 
Episcopal  Methodist  bodies  organize  “The  Methodist  Church.’^ 

The  U.  S.  and  British  war- vessels  sail  from  Plymouth  Sound, 
England,  with  a new  cable  on  board,  10  June;  they  meet  with 
heavy  weather,  but  (26)  make  the  splice;  it  parts  almost  immedi- 
ately, and  a second  splicing  (28)  has  the  same  fate,  tlie  cable 
breaking  twice  on  the  Niagara  and  once  (29)  on  the  Agamem^ 
non\  both  vessels  put  back  to  Queenstown,  whence  they  sail, 
11  July;  a splice  is  made  in  a few  days,  and  the  vessels  part,  the 
Agamemnon  and  heading  for  Ireland,  and  the  Niagara 

and  Gorgon  for  Newfoundland;  landings  are  made  (4,  5 Aug.), 
and  messages  are  exchanged  through  the  cable  between  Queen 
Victoria  and  President  Buchanan,  16;  the  achievement  is  cele- 
brated in  New  York,  1 Sep.  by  the  grandest  demonstration 
heretofore  seen. 

The  remains  of  President  Monroe  are  removed  from  the 
Marble  Cemetery,  New  York,  3 July,  and  escorted  to  Richmond, 
Va.,  by  the  Seventh  Regiment. 

Determined  that  their  shores  shall  no  longer  be  used  for 
quarantine  puj'poses,  the  populace  of  Staten  Island  organize 
themselves,  and,  marching  to  the  hospital  buildings  at  Castleton, 
remove  the  sick  from  the  wards,  drive  ofi  the  officers,  and  burn 
all  the  buildings. 

Cooper  Institute,  erected  by  Peter  Cooper,  at  a cost  of  over 
$600,000,  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  popular  instruction 
free,  is  thrown  open  to  the  public. 

The  Lecompton  Constitution  in  Kansas  is  rejected  in  a special 
election,  2 Aug.,  the  vote  on  the  proposition  of  Congress  and 
admission  being  1,788  for,  to  11,088  against. 

Archbishop  Hughes  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  Roman 
Catholic  Cathedral,  on  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  15  Aug. 

While  attempting  to  fumigate  the  steamer  Austria^  bound 
from  Hambm-g  to  New  York,  with  425  passengers  and  113  officers 
and  crew  on  board,  13  Sep.  the  vessel  takes  fire  and  gets  beyond 
control;  ninety-nine  persons  are  saved  by  passing  vessels,  but 
the  rest  are  lost  by  drowning  and  the  flames. 

The  famous  Crystal  Palace,  in  New  York,  is  destroyed  by  fii'e, 
together  with  a rich  collection  of  the  Fan*  of  the  American 
Institute,  on  exhibition,  5 OcL 


190 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1968.  A mail  conveyed  overland  fi  (»m  San  Francisco  In  a little  1(^ 
than  twenty-four  days,  reache?  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  9 Oct. 

An  effort  is  made  during  the  summer  to  re-open  the  Afri(*an 
slave  trade,  a number  of  native  Africans  being  landed  on  the 
Southern  coast  and  placed  at  once  in  bondage. 

During  the  year,  the  Legislature  of  New  York  enacts  that 
every  slave  brought  involuntarily  M ithin  its  bonha-s  shall  be  set 
free,  and  the  Legislatui-es  of  Maine,  Massachusetts,  Connecti- 
cut, Michigan,  and  Wisconsin  i>ass  “personal  liberty  laws,” 
strongly  favoring  the  freedom  of  the  slave. 

Congress  convenes  G Dec.;  the  President  states  that  the  con- 
troversy between  the  U.  S.  and  Great  Pritain  relating  to  the 
right  of  search  has  been  amicably  settled;  that  if  Cul^a  can  be 
acquired  the  slave-trade  will  instantly  disajiiicai  ; and  that  the 
condition  of  the  Treasury  demands  an  increase  of  duties,  on 
which  he  recommends  specific  instead  of  ad  vaLorem  duties. 

The  gold  fever  is  stimulated  by  the  discovery  of  the  metal  at 
Pike’s  Peak,  Col. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $82,002,180; 
the  debt  is  $44,910,777;  the  value  of  imports,  $282,013,150;  and 
of  exi)orts,  $324,044,421. 

i859o  The  Kansas  Legislature  convenes  in  Jan.,  and  passes  an  Amnesty 
Act  by  which  the  various  prosecutions  for  political  offences 
which  have  been  begun  in  the  south-eastern  counties  ai  e 
stopx>ed;  a bill  to  abolish  and  prohibit  slavery  is  passed,  and  the 
new  Governor  (Samuel  Medary,  of  O.)  vetoes  it;  an  election  is 
held  in  March,  when  the  proposed  Constitutional  Convention  has 
a majority  ot  nearly  4000  votes:  a liejiutlican  Convention  is 
held  at  Osawatomie,  18  May,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a Republican  Party;  the  Constitutional  Convention  assembles 
5 July,  and  adjourns  27,  after  adopting  a constitution,  all  the 
Democrats  p/resent  voting  against  it;  this  constitution,  which 
piohibits  slavery,  is  ratified  at  a popular  election  (Oct.)  by  a 
majority  of  4000;  a Territorial  election  for  Members  of  the 
Legislature  and  a Delegate  to  Congress  is  held  in  Nov.,  when 
the  Republican  candidate  for  Delegate  and  a majoiityof  the 
Republican  candidates  for  the  Legislature  are  elected;  under 
the  new  constitution  Republican  State  officers  and  a Delegate  to 
Congress  are  elected  0 Dec.,  by  a majority  of  about  3000. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  14  Feb.,  Oregon  is  admitted  as  a State 
into  the  Union,  with  an  area  of  95,274  square  miles. 

John  Brown,  an  enthusiastic  anti-slavery  man,  leads  a party 
of  slaves  fi  oni  Aiissouri  to  freedom  in  Canada;  he  crosses  the 
line  at  Detroit,  12  March,  and  assembles  a secret  convention  ©f 
negroes  and  sympathetic  whites  at  Chatham,  Canada  West,  8 
May,  by  whom  “ a provisional  constitution  and  ordinances  for 
the  people  of  the  United  States,’ ' drafted  by  Brown,  are 
adopted.  Brown,  being  chosen  commander-in-chief,  returns  to 
the  U.  S.  and  enters  upon  his  scheme  to  liberate  the  slaves;  he 
makes  a coi.trac  t in  Collinsville,  Conn.,  for  1090  pikes,  3 June, 
and  in  tlie  < ju  ly  put  of  July,  he  rents  a farm  ic  ar  Ilaiper’s 
F(;riy,  h.)  dciidc'S  to  strike  the  liist  bU  vv  against  slavery 

on  the  niglit  ol*  24  Oct.,  but  changes  his  mind,  on  the  evening 
of  Sunday,  10 1 )ct . , he  moves  Lia  fonieof  seventeen  white  and 


tSiVi  ■ ' 


^<5  V.: 

• ; < J , 


evit  '•'■^ 


■ 

■■. ' 


190  Jlistory  of  the  United  Sktles. 

1858.  A mail  conveyed  overland  from  San  Francisco  in  a little  less 
than  twcnty-foiir  days,  reaches  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  9 Oct. 

An  efTort  is  made  during  the  summer  to  re-open  the  African 
slave  trade,  a number  of  native  Africans  being  landed  on  the 
8o\jthern  coast  and  jdaced  at  once  in  bondage. 

During  the  year,  the  Legislature  of  New  York  enacts  tliat 
every  slave  brought  involuntarily  within  its  borders  shall  be  sei 
free,  and  the  Legislatures  of  Blaine,  Massachusetts,  Connei  ti 
cut,  Michigan,  and  AVisconsin  jniss  “personal  liberty  laws, 
strongly  favoring  the  freedom  of  the  slave. 

Congress  convenes  G Dec.;  the  Piesident  states  that  the  con- 
troversy between  the  U.  8.  and  Great  Britain  relating  to  the 
right  of  search  has  been  amiaibly  settled;  that  if  Cuba  c^n  be 
acquired  the  slavc-tiade  will  instantly  disappear;  and  that  the 
condition  of  theTreasuiy  demands  an  increase  of  duties,  on 
which  he  recommends  specific  instead  of  ad  valorem  duties. 

I'he  gold  fever  is  stimulated  by  the  discovery  of  the  metal  at 
l^ike’s  Teak,  Col. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $82,002,186; 
the  debt  is  $44,910,777;  the  value  of  imports,  $282,613,150;  and 
of  exports,  $324,044,421. 

1859.  Idle  Kansas  L(‘gislature  convenes  in  Jan.,  and  passes  an  Amnesty 

Act  by  which  the  various  prosecutions  for  political  offences 
which  have  keen  begun  in  the  south-eastern  counties  are 
stopped;  a bill  to  abolish  and  prohibit  slaverjTs  passed,  and  the 
new  Governor  (Samuel  Medary,  of  0.)  vetoes  it:  an  election  is 
held  in  March,  when  the  proposed  Constitutional  Convention  has 
a majority  of  nearly  4000  votes:  a Republican  Convention  is 
held  at  Osawatomie,  18  May,  lor  the  purpose  of  organizing 
a Republican  Party;  the  Constitutional  Convention  assembles 
5 July,  and  adjourns  27,  after  adopting  a constitution,  all  the 
Democrats  present  voting  against  it;  this  constitution,  which 
prohibits  slavery,  is  ratified  at  a popular  election  (Oct.)  by  a 
majority  of  4000;  a Territorial  election  for  Members  of  the 
Legislature  and  a Delegate  to  Congress  is  held  in  Nov.,  w’hen 
the  Republican  candidate  for  Delegate  and  a majority  of  the 
Republican  candidates  for  the  Legislature  are  elected;  under 
the  new  constitution  jtepublican  State  officers  and  a Delegate  to 
Congress  are  elected  6 Dec.,  by  a majority  of  about  3000. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  14  Feb.,  Oregon  is  admitted  as  a State 
into  the  Union,  with  an  area  of  95,274  square  miles. 

John  Ihown,  an  enthusiastic  anti-slavery  man,  leads  a party 
of  slaves  from  Missouri  to  freedom  in  Canada;  he  crosses  the 
line  at  Detroit,  12  March,  and  assembles  a secret  convention  of 
negroes  and  sympathetic  whites  at  Chatham,  Canada  AVest,  8 
May,  ])y  whom  “ a provisional  constitution  aird  ordinances  for 
the  people  of  the  United  States, “ drafted  by  Brown,  are 
adoi)ted.  Bl  own,  being  chosen  commander-in-chief,  returns  to 
the  U.  8.  and  enters  u))on  his  scheme  to  liberate  the  slaves;  he 
makes  a contract  in  Collinsville,  Conn.,  for  1000  pikes,  8 June, 
and  jn  the  earl}^  part  of  July,  he  rents  a farm  near  Harper’s 
Ferry,  A^a.;  he  decides  to  strike  the  fn-st  blow  against  slavery 
on  the  night  of  24  Oct.,  but  changes  his  mind;  on  the  evening 
of  Sunday,  10  Oct.,  he  moves  his  force  of  seventeen  white  and  five 


191 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1859.  colored  men  into  the  village  of  Harper’s  Feriy,  extinguishes 
the  lights  in  the  streets,  takes  i>os3ession  of  the  worksliops  and 
offices  of  the  national  armory,  seizes  the  three  guards  and  the 
watchman  at  the  Potomac  bridge,  and  posts  a guard  of  armed 
men  on  the  bridge;  on  the  following^  day  Bro^^^l  arrests  all  the 
citizens  who  appear  in  the  streets,  offering  to  ransom  them  at  a 
slave  a piece,  and  proclaims  his  mission  to  be  to  free  tlie 
slaves  by  the  authority  of  God  Almighty;”  the  news  of  the 
seizure  spreads  rapidly;  Gov.  Wise  communicates  with  the 
Government,  and  calls  out  the  militia;  Brown's  force  in  the 
armory  building  is  attacked  by  the  citizens  and  compelled  to  flee 
to  the  engine-house;  Col.  Robert  E.  Lee  reaches  the  scene  in 
the  afternoon  wdth  Government  troops,  and  storms  the  engine- 
house  early  the  next  morning;  after  a brief  struggle,  in  which 
Brown  is  wounded  in  sever^  places,  the  insurgents  are  cap- 
tured; Brown,  who  had  expected  a general  rising  of  the  slaves 
at  his  approach,  is  indicted  for  exciting  slaves  to  insuiTection 
and  for  treason  and  murder;  he  is  found  guilty  29  Oct.,  and  is 
hanged  at  Charlestown,  Va.,  2 Dec.,  in  the  presence  of  nearly 
8000  militia  and  an  immense  concourse  of  people;  Cook,  Cop- 
poc,  Copeland,  and  Green  are  hanged,  16  Dec.,  and  Stevens 
and  Hazlitt  condemned  to  be  hanged  on  the  16  March,  1860; 
five  whites  and  one  colored  man  effect  their  escape. 

Up  to  30  Sep.,  the  Government  has  disposed  of  888,858,325 
acres  of  public  land,  of  wliich  147,088,273  have  been  sold  for 
cash,  $180,619,638,  and  241,770,052  donated  in  grants  to  indi- 
viduals, cori^orations,  and  States,  70  J)00,000  being  for  school 
purposes,  and  50,000,000  for  railroads  and  internal  improve- 
ments. 

Adelina  Patti  makes  her  d€jui  in  opera  in  New  York,  24 
November. 

The  86th  Congress  assembles  5 Dec.;  the  Senate  is  strongly 
democratic,  but  the  House  has  no  clear  majority  for  any  paity; 
directly  after  the  opening  of  the  Senate,  T>Ir,  Mason,  ofVa., 
submits  a resolution  for  the  appointment  of  a committee  to 
investigate  the  matter  commonly  known  as  ‘‘John  Brown’s 
raid  into  Virginia;  ” this  brings  on  a bitter  political  discussion, 
having  slavery  and  State  rights  for  its  keynote,  and  is  prolonged 

y to  the  14th,  when  the  resolution  is  adopted.  In  the  House,  just 

as  a second  ballot  is  about  being  taken  for  Speaker,  Mr.  J.  B. 
Clark,  of  Mo.,  proposes  a preamble  and  resolution,  charging 
certain  nominees  for  the  Speakership  with  having  recommended 
Helper’s  “ Impending  Crisis,”  and  declaring  the  doctrines  of 
the  book  insurrectionary;  this,  too,  precipitates  a lengthy  debate 
on  the  slavery  question,  and  complicates  the  contest  tor  Speaker; 
on  the  27  Dec.,  the  House  being  still  unorganized,  the  President 
sends  his  Message  to  each  body;  for  several  days  John  Sher- 
man, of  Ohio,  receives  votes  lacking  from  three  to  five  of  a 
majority;  but  the  Democrats  and  Americans  will  not  unite,  and 
the  Anti-Lecompton  or  Douglas  Democrats  will  not  support  an 
administration  man. 

Col.  E.  L.  Drake,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  sinks  the  first  well 
for  petroleum  by  boring  at  Titusville,  Oil  Creek,  Penn. 


Sistory  of  the  United  States*  1^1 

1859.  colored  men  into  the  village  of  Harper’s  Ferry,  extinguishes 
the  lights  in  the  streets,  takes  possession  of  tlie  workshops  and 
offices  of  the  national  arnioiy,  seizes  the  three  guards  and  the 
watchman  at  the  Potomac  bridge,  and  posts  a guard  of  armed 
men  on  the  bridge;  on  the  following  day  Brown  arrests  all  the 
citizens  who  appear  in  the  streets,  offering  to  ransom  them  at  a 
slave  a piece,  and  proclaims  his  mission  to  be  to  free  the 
slaves  by  the  authority  of  God  Almighty;'*  the  news  of  tlie 
seizure  spreads  rapidly;  Gov.  Wise  communicates  with  The 
Government,  and  calls  out  the  militia;  Brown’s  force  in  the 
armory  building  is  attacked  by  the  citizens  and  compelled  to  flee 
to  the  engine-house;  Col.  Kobert  E.  Lee  reaches  the  scene  iii 
the  afternoon  with  Government  troops,  and  storms  the  engine- 
house  early  the  next  morning;  after  a brief  struggle,  in  which 
Brown  is  wounded  in  several  places,  the  insurgents  are  cap- 
tured; Brown,  who  had  expected  a general  rising  of  the  slaves 
at  his  approach,  is  indicted  for  exciting  slaves  to  insurrection 
and  for  treason  and  murder;  he  is  found  guilty  29  Oct.,  and  is 
hanged  at  Charlestown,  Va.,  2 Dec.,  in  the  presence  of  nearly 
3000  militia  and  an  immense  concourse  of  people;  Cook,  Co^)- 
poc,  Copeland,  and  Green  are  hanged,  16  Dec.,  and  Stevens 
and  Hazlitt  condemned  to  be  hanged  on  the  16  March,  I860.* 
five  whites  and  one  colored  man  effect  their  escape. 

Up  to  30  Sep.,  the  Government  has  disposed  of  388,858,325 
acres  of  public  land,  of  wliich  147,088,273  have  been  sold  for 
cash,  1180,619,638,  and  241,770,052  donated  in  grants  to  indi- 
viduals, corporations,  and  States,  70,000,000  being  for  school 
purposes,  and  50,000,000  for  railroads  and  internal  improve 
mentSo 

Adelina  Patti  makes  her  d4bui  in  opera  in  New  York,  24 
November, 

The  36th  Congress  assembles  5 Dec.;  the  Senate  is  strongly 
democratic,  but  the  House  has  no  clear  majority  for  any  pauy; 
directly  after  the  opening  of  the  Senate,  Mr.  Mason,  ofVa., 
submits  a resolution  for  the  appointment  of  a committee  to 
investigate  the  matter  commonly  known  as  John  Brown’s 
raid  into  Virginia;  ” this  brings  on  a bitter  political  discussion, 
having  slavery  and  State  rights  for  its  keynote,  and  is  prolonged 
to  the  14th,  when  the  resolution  is  adopted.  In  the  House,  just 
as  a second  ballot  is  about  being  taken  for  Speaker,  Mr.  J.  B. 
Clark,  of  Mo.,  proposes  a preamble  and  resolution,  cliarging 
certain  nominees  for  the  Speakership  with  having  recommended 
Helper’s  “ Impending  Crisis,”  and  declaring  the  doctrines  of 
the  book  insurrectionary;  this,  too,  precipitates  a lengthy  debate 
on  the  slavery  question,  and  complicates  the  contest  for  Speaker; 
on  the  27  Dec.,  the  House  being  still  unorganized,  the  President 
sends  his  Message  to  each  body;  for  several  days  John  Sher- 
man, of  Ohio,  receives  votes  lacking  from  three  to  five  of  a 
majority;  but  the  Democrats  and  Americans  will  not  unite,  and 
the  Anti-Lecompton  or  Douglas  Democrats  will  not  support  an 
administration  man. 

Ool.  E.  L.  Drake,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  sinks  the  first  woW 
lor  petroleum  by  boring  at  Titusville,  Oil  Creek,  Penn- 


192 


History  of  the  XT'iiited  States* 

1859.  Photo-1  ithograpliy  is  introduced  for  the  i)uq)Ose  of  Dublinhlng 
maps  ill  colors. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $*83,078,648; 
the  debt  is  $58,754,099;  the  value  of  imports,  $888,708,180;  and 
of  expoifs,  $850,789,041. 

ISoO..  Immediately  after  the  holiday  recess,  the  House  lesumes  the 
slavery  discussion  and  tlie  contest  for  Speaker;  Mr.  Smith,  of 
N.  C.,  receives  almost  the  wlnde  democratic  vote,  27  Jan.,  tlK?> 
ballot  being:  Sherman,  100;  Smith,  112;  Corwin,  4;  S(  atteiing 
0;  Mr.  Sherman  withdraws  his  name  (80),  and  the  i cj  iibli(  ans 
nominate  William  Pennington,  N.  J.,  who  receives  115  v(l(  s,  on 
thr('e  ballots,  to  118  for  Mr.  Smith;  the  democrats  substitute  J. 
A.  McClcrnand,  111.,  for  Mr.  Smith  (81),  and  the  l ight  weeks’ 
struggle  terminates,  1 Feb.,  wIkmi  ]Mi-.  Ikmnington  receives  the 
reiiuisite  number  of  voti  s,  117  to  85  for  Mr.  ]\'ii  Clernand. 

The  main  building  of  the  Pemberton  Cotton  Mills,  at  Law- 
rence.  Mass.,  suddenly  falls  to  the  ground,  10  Jan.,  lariying 
with  it  all  the  machine]  y and  seveial  hundi  ed  o]  erativcs;  a fire 
?)reaks  out  in  the  ruins  while  etl'oi  ts  are  being  made  to  (ixtihate 
(he  dying  and  wounded,  throwing  the  city  into  great  coi-stcrnar- 
tion;  it  is  subsequently  ascertained  that  117  c-peiatives  were 
killed,  and  112  severely  and  200  more  or  less  wounded,  wliile 
of  89  others  no  tidings  could  be  gathered. 

Mr.  Coode,  of  Penn.,  tln*ows  a tirebrand  i!;to  the  House,  6 
March,  by  introducing  two  resolutions  for  the  api  oiiitinent  of 
a committee  to  investigate  whether  the  President  or  any  other 
iJlicer  of  the  Government  has,  by  money,  ] utionage,  or  other 
Improper  means,  sought  to  inlluence  the  action  of  Congress  or 
any  committee  thereof,  for  or  against  the  i assage  of  any  law 
appei'taining  to  the  rights  of  any  Territory,  and  also  to  is:vesti- 
gate  the  charges  of  im])roi)er  use  of  money  to  cai'i  y elections 
and  the  reported  Post-office  and  Navy-yard  abuses;  tiie  I’esolu- 
tions,  after  considerable  opposition,  are  adopted,  \\  hen  (29)  the 
President  protests  against  the  resolutions  as  violating  his  con- 
stitutional rights  aiid  immunities;  the  coinmittee  makes  an 
elaborate  repoi  t (June). 

Ambassadors  sent  from  the  Emperor  of  Jaj^an  to  ratify  Com- 
mo(]ore  Perry’s  treaty  arrive  at  San  Francisco,  in  the  U.  S. 
l\>irhatan,  27  March;  they  are  publicly  received  by  the  State 
autiiorities,  2 April;  they  proceed  to  Washington  t'za  New  Y oik 
in  the  U.  S.  S.  Iloanoke^  and  are  presented  to  the  President,  to 
whom  they  deliver  the  treaty  for  formal  ratification.  May;  after 
a series  of  brilliant  receptions  they  return  to  New  York,  where 
they  are  escorted  to  their  hotel  by  the  National  Guard  and  ai*e 
honored  with  a grand  ball  at  Niblo’s  Garden,  18  June;  they 
embark  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Niagara  for  Japan,  29, 

The  l)(unocratic  National  Convention  assembles  at  Charles 
ton,  S.C.,  28  April,  and  organizes  on  the  following  day  v itii  Caleb 
Cushing,  Mass.,  as  president;  several  platforms  are  introduced, 
27,  and  refernjd;  the  platform  modified  by  Mr.  Samuels,  Iowa, 
IS  ado])ted,  80,  whereupon  the  Alabama  delegation  leport  that 
they  are  instructed  not  to  acquiesce  in  or  submit  to  any  “squat- 
ter 60V(a  (;ignty  *’  platfoorm,  but  to  withraw  from  tlie  Conven- 
tion ii  case  such  a one  should  be  adopted,  aird  they  accordingly 


Confederate  Generals. 


1. 


)K)liKin'  K.  LKK  o ,,  j,u^K80N. 

-I.  JAMES  LONGSTinMM'.  n.  JOSEI'H  E 


3 J.  E.  B.  STLE^T. 
JOIIXSTON. 


Modern  Naval  Heroes. 


193 


Hkiory  of  the  United  States, 

1860.  take  their  leave;  the  delegations  from  Mississippi,  Louisiana 
(except  tNVo),  South  Carolina,  Florida,  Texas,  Arkansas  (a  part), 
and  (Georgia  follow  the  example;  after  fifty-seven  ballot! ngs, 
in  wliich  Senator  Douglas  received  from  145?]  to  152]  votes,  and 
Mr.  Gruthrie,  of  Ky.,  the  next  highest,  66^,  the  Convention 
adjourns,  3 May,  to  meet  in  Baltimore,  18  June;  the  seceding 
delegates  assemble  in  St.  Andrew’s  Hall,  and  after  ado{)ting 
the  platform  reported  by  Mr.  Avery,  adjourn  to  meet  in  liich- 
mond,  11  June. 

A Constitutional  Union  (late  American)  Convention  is  held  in 
Baltimore,  9 May,  under  the  presidency  of  Washington  Hunt, 
N.  Y.;  the  platform  is  embraced  in  the  resolution,  that  it  is 
the  part  both  of  patriotism  and  of  duty  to  recognize  no  political 
principle  otner  than  the  constitution. of  the  country,  the  union 
of  the  States,  and  the  enforcement  of  the  laws;  John  Bell,  of 
Tenn.,  is  nominated  for  President,  with  Edward  Everett,  of 
Mass.,  for  Vice-President. 

At  the  Kepublican  National  Convention,  which  assembles  in 
Chicago,  16  May,  all  the  Free  States  and  the  Slave  States  of 
Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Missouri,  the  Territories  of 
Kansas  and  Nebiaska,  and  the  District  of  Columbia  are  re[)re- 
sented;  George  Ashmun,  Mass.,  is  chosen  president;  the  plat- 
form declares  that  the  maintenance  of  the  princiides  promul- 
gated in  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  lYderal  Con- 
stitution, is  essential  to  the  preservation  of  our  Republican 
institutions,  and  congratulates  the  country  that  no  Republican 
Member  of  Congress  has  uttered  or  countenanced  the  threats  of 
disunion,  the  Convention  decides  to  nominate  by  a majoi  ity 
vote,  and  proceeds  to  ballot,  18;  three  ballots  are  taken,  in  which 
William  il.  Seward  and  Abraham  Lincoln  receive  the  highest 
number  of  votes,  the  latter  on  the  third  ballot  coining  within 
two  and  a half  votes  of  the  requisite  number;  changes  are  made 
until  Mr.  Lincoln  has  354  of  the  466  votes,  when  his  nomina- 
tion is  made  unanimous;  Hannibal  Hamlin,  Me.,  is  nominated 
for  Vice-President  on  a second  ballot,  receiving  367  votes  to  99 
for  all  others. 

The  seceders  from  the  Charleston  Convention  meet  at  Rich- 
mond, 11  June,  and  adjom*n  to  Baltimore,  holding  their  final 
meeting,  28;  twenty-one  States  are  represented;  Caleb  Cushing 
is  chosen  president;  the  Convention  adopts  Mr.  Avery’s  Char- 
leston platform,  and  nominates  Jolin  C.  Breckenridge,  of  Ky., 
for  President,  with  Gen.  Joseph  Lane,  Or.,  for  Vice-President. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  the  National  Democratic  Conven- 
tion re-assembles  in  Baltimore,  18  June;  Benjamin  F.  Butler, 
Mass.,  announces  the  determination  of  a majority  of  the  dele- 
gates from  his  State  to  withdraw,  and  creates  a sensation  b}'  the 
reason,  that  he  will  not  sit  in  a convention  where  the  Ai  m an 
slave-trade  is  approvingly  advocated;  on  the  first  ballot.  Senator 
Douglas  has  173|  votes;  Guthrie,  10;  Breckenridge,  5;  scatter- 
ing, 3;  on  the  second,  Douglas  has  181i;  Breckenridge,  7i;and 
Guthrie,  5];  whereupon  a resolution  is  adopted  formally  nom- 
inating Douglas  for  President;  Benjamin  Fitzpatrick,  Ala., 

nominated  for  Vice-President,  but  subsequently  decline^ 


194  History  of  the  United  States. 

I860,  when  the  National  Conimitteo  substitutes  llerschel  V.-  Jolinson, 
Ga. 

William  Walker  again  starts  with  an  expedition  to  Central 
America;  he  lands  on  the  Island  of  Kuatan,  25  June,  and  at 
Truxillo  two  days  latei*;  he  issues  a proclamation  announcing 
his  mission  and  prepares  for  an  active  camj)aign;  the  Tresidenl 
of  Honduras,  at  the  head  of  an  army  of  700  imm,  appears,  2d 
Aug.;  at  the  same  time  the  commander  of  a Ih  itish  war-vesflel 
in  the  harbor  orders  Walker  to  retire;  he  obeys  and  takes  to 
the  coast,  where  he  is  captured  J Sej).,  taken  to  Truxillo,  tried 
• by  court-martial,  condemned,  and  shot  (12  Sep.). 

The  famous  steamship  Great  Eastern  arrives  at  New  York 
from  England,  28  June,  and,  mooring  in  the  North  lliver,  is 
open  to  public  inspection  for  several  weeks. 

H.  E.  H.,  the  Eriiice  of  Wales  reaches  Newfoundland,  23 
July,  and  after  making  an  extended  tour  through  British 
America,  enters  the  U.  S.  at  Detroit,  21  Sep.,  and  goes  to  Wash- 
ington as  the  guest  of  the  President  (3-7  Oct.);  he  reaches  New 
York  City.,  11,  and  is  most  enthusiastically  received  by  the 
military  (7000  troops)  and  civil  authorities;  a grand  ball  (12) 
and  an  immense  torchlight  procession  (13)  are  given  in  his 
honor;  he  visits  the  West  Point  Academy  (15),  is  entertained 
by  the  Governor  at  Albany,  and  by  the  State  authorities  and 
citizens  of  Massachusetts,  at  Boston,  and  takes  his  dex>artureon 
a British  man-of-war  from  Portland,  Me.,  20. 

Among  the  other  notable  visitors  of  the  summer  are  the 
Prince  de  Joinville,  uncle  of  the  Comte  de  Paris  and  the  Due 
de  Chartres,  and  Lady  Pranklin,  the  latter  coming  particularly 
to  thank  the  people  of  the  U.S.  for  the  interest  they  have  shown 
for  her  unfortunate  husband,  the  lost  Arctic  explorer. 

A number  of  slaves  are  captured  by  U.  S.  naval  vessels 
during  the  summer,  oil  Cuba,  and  some  1700  slaves  are  quar- 
tered at  Key  West  i)endmg  arrangements  to  send  them  to 
Liberia;  the  U.  S.  S.  Mohican  cax)tures  a single  slaver  oft*  the 
coast  of  Africa,  with  over  800  slaves  on  board. 

Central  Park,  New  York,  is  thrown  open  to  the  public. 

The  dawn  of  this  eventful  year  had  found  the  whole  country 
astir  with  the  gravest  political  excitement.  It  is  election  year,  and 
the  choice  of  the  next  President  assumes  all  the  importance  of 
a crisis.  The  destinies  of  America  are  in  the  balance.  Political 
X^arties  are  strangely  divided.  Up  to  this  time  there  had  been 
two  great  i>arties,  “ Democrats and  Kepublicans  ”;  these 
become  sub-divided  into  four  i^arties.  There  are  the  “South- 
ern Democrats’ Ted  by  John  C.  Breckenridge;  and  the  “Northern 
Democrats’^  with  Stex)hen  A.  Douglas  at  their  head.  These 
two  [jarli  ^s  had  quarreled becauseDouglas  claimed  that  aTerritO!  y 
had  a right  to  vote  that  slavery  should  not  exist  within  its 
boundaries  if  a majority  of  the  people  so  willed  it.  On  this,  a 
third  i)arty  arose,  known  as  the  “Union  and  Constitutional 
Party,”  or  the  “ Bell-Everetts,”  as  they  were  called  from  the 
names  of  their  leaders-  dolm  Bell  and  Edward  Everett-  The 
fouitii  ]>arty  is  the  ‘'Kepublicaii  ” ])arty — the  party  thut  four 
years  txd'ore  had  fought  with  sucli  intense  enthusiasm  to  idace 
Gen.  Jolin  C.  Fremont,  the  dauntless  Pathtinder  of  Hie  Eocky 


194  llistoiuj  of  the  United  fitates^ 

18G0.  ^vllcn  tlie  National  Coininittee  substitutes  llerschel  V.  Johnson, 
Gil. 

AVilliain  Walker  again  staits  witli  an  expedition  to  Central 
Aineriea;  lie  lands  on  the  Island  of  Kuatan,  25  June,  and  at 
JVuxillo  two  da3's  later;  lie  issues  a proelnination  announcing 
his  mission  and  i)re[)aies  for  an  active  cainiiaign;  the  President 
of  Honduras,  at  the  head  of  an  army  of  700  men,  appears,  23 
Aug.;  at  the  same  time  the  commander  of  a Ih  itish  war-vessel 
in  the  harbor  orders  Walker  to  retbe;  he  obeys  and  takes  t^v 
the  coast,  where  he  is  cai)tured  3 8ep.,  biken  to  Truxillo,  trie>j 
by  court-martial,  condemned,  and  shot  (12  Sep.). 

The  famous  steamship  Great  Eastern  arrives  r.t  New  York 
from  England,  28  June,  and,  mooring  in  the  North  Kiver,  is 
open  to  jHiblic  inspection  for  several  weeks. 

11.  K.  II.,  the  Prince  of  Wales  reaches  Newfoundland,  23 
July,  and  after  making  an  extended  tour  through  British 
America,  enters  the  U.  S.  at  Detroit,  21  Sej).,  and  goes  to  Wash- 
ington as  the  guest  of  the  President  (3-7  Oet.j;  he  reaches  New 
Yoik  City,  11,  and  is  most  enthusiastically  received  by  the 
military  (7000  troops)  and  civil  authorities;  a gi’and  ball  (12) 
and  an  immense  toiddight  ])rocession  (13)  are  given  in  liis 
honor;  he  visits  the  West  Point  Academy  (15),  is  entertained 
b}^  the  Governor  at  Albanj^  and  by  the  State  authorities  and 
citizens  of  Massachusetts,  at  Boston,  and  takes  his  departure  on 
a British  man-of-war  from  Portland,  Me.,  20. 

Among  the  other  notable  visitois  of  the  summer  are  the 
Prince  de  Joinville,  uncle  of  the  Comte  de  Paris  and  the  Duo 
de  Chartres,  and  Lady  Fi-anklin,  the  latter  coming  particularly 
to  thank  the  i)eopleof  the  U.8.  for  the  interest  they  liave  shown 
for  her  unfortunate  husband,  the  lost  Arctic  explorer. 

A number  of  slaves  are  captured  by  U.  S.  naval  vessels 
during  the  summer,  oil  Cuba,  and  some  1700  slaves  are  quar- 
tered at  Key  West  pending  arrangements  to  send  them  to 
Liberia j the  U.  S.  S.  Mohican  captures  a single  slaver  off  the 
coast  of  Africa,  with  over  800  slaves  on  board. 

Central  Park,  New  Yoi'k,  is  thrown  open  to  the  public. 

The  dawn  of  this  eventful  year  had  found  the  whole  country 
astir  with  the  gravest  political  excitement.  It  is  election  year,  and 
the  choice  of  the  next  President  assumes  all  the  importaiu  e of 
a crisis.  The  destinies  of  America  aie  in  the  balance.  Political 
])arties  are  strangel}"  divided.  Up  to  this  time  there  had  been 
two  great  parties,  “ Democrats ’’  and  “ Bepublicans  ”;  these 
become  sub-divided  into  four  jiarties.  There  are  the  “South- 
ern Dianocrats”  led  by  John  C.  Bi  eckenridge;  and  the  “Northern 
Democrats”  with  Stephen  A.  Douglas  at  their  head.  I'hcse 
two  1 anies  had  quaiTcledbecaii.-eDouglas  claimed  that  aTenitoi  y 
had  a right  to  vote  that  slavery  should  not  exist  within  Its 
])Oundaries  if  a majority"  of  the  i)eoi)le  so  willed  it.  On  this,  a 
third  j>ait3"  arose,  known  as  the  “Union  and  Constitutional 
Part}^”  or  the  “ Ikll-Everetts,”  as  they  were  called  from  the 
names  of  their  leaders,  John  Bell  and  Edward  Everett.  The 
fourth  party  is  the  “ Itepublican  ” j^arty — the  party  that  four 
years  Indore  had  fought  with  such  intense  enthusiasm  to  place 
Gen.  John  C.  Fi  emont,  the  dauntless  Paihlinder  of  the  Rocky 


195 


HUtory  of  the  United  States, 

1860.  Mountains,  at  the  head  of  the  nation.  An  election  campai^ 
unrivalled  in  the  history  of  America  ensues;  on  both  sides 
orators  of  the  highest  order  take  the  platform,  the  pulpit,  and 
the  stump.  Such  men  as  Wendell  Pliillips,  Henry  Ward  Bee- 
cher, and  William  Lloyd  Garilson  come  out  ilat-footed  as 
Abolitionists;  and  on  the  other  hand  such  men  as  William  L. 
Gancey  urge  the  Southern  sympathizers  '‘by  one  organized, 
concerted  action, to  precipitate  the  Cotton  States  into  revolution/’ 
Tliroughout  the  campaign  the  idea  of  Secession  as  a result  of 
the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  is  discussed  freeljrtn  speeches, 
at  public  meetings,  and  in  the  press  of  certain  districts.  The 
idea,  at  first  merel}^  hinted,  steadily  gains  ground,  and  measures 
looking  toward  such  an  alteniative  are  "carefully  considered. 
The  Southerners  inveigh  loudly  against  what  they  call  North- 
ern duplicity;  their  complaint  being  tliat,  while  the  Republicans 
profess  that  their  anxiety  is  that  Slavery  should  not  be  per- 
mitted in  anj"  new  State  or  Territory,  they  are  in  reality  intent 
on  destroying  the  Slave-system  of  the  South,  the  system  by 
which  the  chief  industries  of  the  South,  the  sugar  and  cotton 
culture,  are  conducted.  As  the  day  of  election  draws  near, 
the  conflict  waxes  more  fierce;  the  South  openlj'  declares 
tlu’ough  her  Senators  and  Congressmen,  through  her  news- 
papers, and  in  public  and  private  meetings,  that  “ the  die  is  now 
cast,  ” and  that  if  the  Reimblicans  elect  their  President,  the 
“ South  will  go  out  of  the  Union.” 

After  a campaign  of  tremendous  excitement  in  all  parts  of 
Union,  the  Presidential  election  (7  Nov.)  shows  the  following 
vital  results:  popular  vote,  Lincoln  and  Hamblin,  1,857,610; 
Douglas  and  Johnson,  1,291,574;  Breckenridge  and  Lane,  850,- 
082;  Bell  and  Everett,  646,124;  electoral  vote,  Lincoln,  180; 
Breckenridge;  72;  Bell,  39;  Douglas,  12. 

The  Slave-States  are  said  to  be  almost  as  much  elated  as  the 
Republicans.  The  way  is  now  clear  for  Secession.  By  pre- 
vious arrangement  the  S.  Carolina  Legislature  is  in  session 
in  Nov.,  when  Lincoln  is  elected,  and  is  tlie  first  to  take 
action  in  the  direction  of  open  rebellion;  a Bill  is  introduced 
(10  Nov.)  to  raise  and  equip  10,000  volunteers,  and  (10  Nov.) 
a Convention  is  ordered  to  consider  the  question  of  Secession. 
The  Georgia  Legislature  votes  $1,000,000  to  arm  the  State, 
and  orders  a Convention  (18  Nov.);  the  Louisiana  Legislature 
meets  in  extra  session  (10  Dec.),  votes  to  elect  a Convention, 
and  appropriates  $500,000  to  arm  the  State,  The  S.  Carolina 
Convention  meets  (17  Dec.)  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  with  D.  F. 
Jamison  as  president,  and  unanimouslj^  adopts  an  ordinance 
of  Secession,  20.  The  State  seizes  (28  Dec.)  the  Custom 
House,  the  Post  Ofiice,  and  the  Arsenal,  occupies  Cas'le 
Pinckney  and  Fort  IMoultrie,  adopts  (31  Dec.)  an  oath  of 
abjuration  and  allegiance,  sends  Commissioners  to  the  other 
Slave-States  with  a view  to  form  a Southern  Confederacy. 

The  great  chain  of  railways  from  Maine  to  Louisiana  is  com- 
pleted (Jan.),  making  a continuous  railway  of  over  2,000  miles, 
from  Bangor  to  New  Orleans. 

The  New  York  TTorld  makes  its  first  appearance  (June). 

This  year  is  remarkable  for  the  gro^rth  of  the  j>etroleum 


•r  r 


J 


195 


History  of  the  United  f:ycate8. 

1360.  Mountains,  at  the  head  of  tne  nation.  An  election  campaign 
unrivalled  in  the  history  of  America  ensues;  on  both  sides 
orators  of  the  highest  order  take  the  platform,  the  pul[)it,  and 
the  stump.  Such  men  as  Wendell  Phillips,  Henry  Ward  Bee- 
cher,  and  William  Lloyd  Garrison  come  out  flat-footed  as 
Abolitionists;  and  on  the  other  hand  such  men  as  William  L. 
Gancey  urge  tlie  Southern  sympathizers  “ by  one  organized, 
concerted  action, to  precipitate  the  Cotton  States  into  revolution.” 
I’hroughout  the  campaign  the  idea  of  Secession  as  a result  of 
the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  is  discussed  freely  in  s])eeches, 
at  public  meetings,  and  in  the  press  of  certain  districts,  riie 
idea,  at  first  merely  liinted,  steadily  gains  ground,  and  measures 
looking  toward  such  an  alternative  are  carefully  considered. 
The  Southerners  inveigli  loudly  against  what  they  call  North- 
ern  duplicity;  their  complaint  being  that,  while  the  Republicans 
profess  that  their  anxiety  is  that  Slavery  sliould  not  be  per- 
mitted in  any  new  State  or  Territory,  tliey  are  in  reality  intent 
on  destroying  the  Slave-system  of  the  South,  the  system  by 
which  the  chief  industries  of  the  South,  the  sugar  and  cotton 
culture,  are  conducted.  As  the  da}^  of  election  draws  near, 
the  conflict  waxes  more  fierce;  the  South  openly  declares 
through  her  Senators  and  Congressmen,  through  her  news- 
papers, and  in  public  and  private  meetings,  tliat  “ the  die  is  now 
cast,  ” and  that  if  the  Republicans  ele^ct  their  President,  the 

South  will  go  out  of  the  Union.” 

After  a campaign  of  tremendous  excitement  in  all  parts  of 
Union,  the  Presidential  election  (7  Nov.)  shows  the  following 
vital  results:  popular  vote,  Lincoln  and  Hamblin,  1,857,610; 
Douglas  and  Johnson,  1,291,574;  Breckenridge  and  Lane,  850,- 
082;  Bell  and  Everett,  646,124;  electoral  vote,  Lincoln,  180; 
Breckenridge,  72;  Bell,  39;  Douglas,  12. 

The  Slave-States  are  said  to  be  almost  as  much  elated  as  the 
Republicans.  The  way  is  mow  clear  for  Secession.  By  pre- 
vious  arrangement  the  S.  Carolina  Legislature  is  in  session 
in  Nov.,  when  Lincoln  is  elected,  and  is  the  first  to  take 
action  in  the  direction  of  open  rebellion;  a Bill  is  introduced 
(10  Nov.)  to  raise  and  equip  10,000  volunteers,  and  (10  Nov.) 
a Convention  is  ordered  to  consider  the  question  of  Secession. 
The  Georgia  Legislature  votes  $1,000,000  to  arm  the  State, 
and  orders  a Convention  (18  Nov.);  the  Louisiana  Legislature 
meets  in  extra  session  (10  Dec.),  votes  to  elect  a Convention, 
and  appropriates  $500,000  to  arm  the  State.  The  S.  Carolina 
Convention  meets  (17  Dec.)  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  witli  D.  F. 
Jamison  as  president,  and  unanimously  adopts  an  ordinance 
of  Secession,  20.  The  State  seizes  (28  Dec.)  the  Custoni 
House,  the  Post  Office,  and  the  Arsenal,  occupies  Cas  le 
Pinckney  and  Fort  ^'dopts  (31  Dec.)  an  oath  of 

abjuration  and  allegiance,  sends  Commissioners  to  the  other 
Slave-States  with  a view  to  form  a Southern  Confedej*acy. 

The  great  chain  of  railways  from  Maine  to  Louisiana  is  com- 
pleted (Jan.),  making  a continuous  railway  of  over  2,000  miles, 
from  Bangor  to  New  Orleans. 

The  I^ew  York  World  makes  its  first  appearance  (June). 

This  year  is  remarkable  for  the  growth  of  the  petrole^^ 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

1860.  business;  tlio  Alleghany  River  valley*  beeonies  a wilderness  of 
oil  deriieks;  it  is  estimated  that  in  i^eniisylvania  alone  2000 
wells  are  bored. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  $^77,055,125: 
the  debt  is  $(>4,7()0,70;3;  the  value  of  imports,  $:iG2, 1 02,541 ; and 
^ of  expoits,  1400,122,21)0. 

1801.  The  ^^ear  o[)ens  with  daik  forbodings.  Trade  is  generally 
depressed.  14ie  greatest  anxiety  i)revails  eoneerning  public 
ajV.tirs.  Gov.  Ellis,  of  N.  C.,  takes  possession  of  Fort  Macon, 
at  Pxniufort  (2  Jan.),  the  works  at  Wilmington,  and  the  U.  S. 
Arsenal  at  Fayetteville.  On  the  same  day,  troops  from  Georgia 
seize  Forts  Ihdaski  and  Jackson,  and  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  at 
Savannah. 

National  Fast-day  by  proclamation  of  the  President  (4  Jan .). 
Obsei  ved  gemnally  by  North  and  l^order  States,  but  signifi- 
cantly disregarded  by  the  South.  Fort  Morgan,  at  the  nioutl 
of  Mobile  Harbor,  and  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  at  Mobile,  ai  e seized  by 
State  troo]  s at  the  command  of  Gov.  Moore,  of  Ala.  The  Con- 
vention of  South  Carolina  agrees  to  send  delegates  to  the  forth- 
coming “ General  Congress  of  the  Seceding  States.” 

Steaiiier  Star  of  theWet^t  is  chartered  and  sent  from  New  York 
to  Fort  Sumtei’,  to  reinforce  Major  Anderson  (5  Jan.).  South 
Carolina  Convention  adjourns. 

State  Conventions  of  Alabama  and  Mississip])i  meet  (7  Jan.): 
meeting  of  the  Legislatures  of  Tennessee  and  Virginia.  Senator 
Tooiubs  makes  his  famous  secession  speech. 

Forts  Johnson  and  Caswell  are  seized  (8  Jan.);  Secretary 
Thompson  retires  from  the  Interior  De]  artment. 

First  shot  of  tlie  Rebellion  fired  (9  Jan.);  \\\q  Star  of  the  West 
arrives  off  Charleston  and  is  fired  upon  by  the  forts  on  Morris 
Island,  and  driven  back  to  sea.  Mississippi  secedes  from  the 
Union;  the  Convention  passes  the  ordinance  of  Secession  by 
84  to  15.  Florida  secedes  by  a vote  of  02  to  7 (10  Jan.).  Ala- 
bama secedes,  the  ordinance  passing  by  01  to  39  (11  Jan.). 
Seizure  of  IT.  S.  Arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge,  Ports  Phillip  and 
.fackson,  and  Port  Pickens  on  Lake  Ponchartrain,  by  Louisiana. 
New  York  Legislature  votes  to  offer  the  President  the  whole 
inilitary  power  of  the  State  for  the  support  of  the  Constitution. 

The  Pensacola  Navy  Yard  is  seized  by  rebels,  and  the  cutter 
Lewin  Cass  is  seized  at  New  Orleans  (12  Jan.). 

The  S.  Carolina  Legislature  declares  that  any  attempt  to  re- 
inforce Fort  Sumter  would  be  accepted  as  an  act  of  war  (14 
Jan.).  The  Senators  from  Mississippi  withdraw  from  the 
Senate. 

In  the  Senate,  Mr.  Clark’s  resolution  that  the  Constitution 
ought  to  be  preserved  and  Spcession  put  A « carried  in 

o[)position  to  the  Crittenden  Uonipa«>riise  (i()  Ai'kansas 

and  Missouri  vote  to  hold  a Convention.  Maj.-Gen.  Sanford, 
of  N.  Y.  City,  tenders  the  President  the  seiwices  of  the  First 
Division  of  7000  men  for  any  service  lie  may  desire.  Col  Hayne, 
in  the  name  of  Gov.  Pickens,  demands  of  the  President  the 
Burrcmdei*  of  Foit  Sumter;  the  President  refuses  to  recognize 
the  Col.  in  any  official  ca[)acity-. 


f i . 


KVr 


19G 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1860.  business;  the  Allegliaiiy  Kivor  valley  becomes  a ^vil(1crnes8  of 
oil  derricks;  it  is  estimated  that  in  I^eniisylvania  alone  2000 
wells  ai  e bored. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  amount  to  ^77,055,125* 
the  debt  is  $64,700,703;  tlie  value  of  iini)0it5,  $362,102,541;  and 
of  exi)Orts,  $400,122,296. 

1861.  Tlie  year  o])ens  willi  dark  forbodings.  Trade  is  generally 

depressed,  llie  greatest  anxiety  i)revails  eonccrning  jmblic 
affairs.  Gov.  Ellis,  of  N.  C.,  takes  j)ossession  of  Foil  Macon, 
at  Beaufort  (2  Jan,),  the  works  at  Wilmington,  and  the  U.  8. 
Arsenal  at  Faj’etteville.  On  the  same  day,  troops  from  Georgia 
seize  Forts  Pulaski  and  Jackson,  and  the  U.  8.  Arsenal  at 
Savannah. 

National  Fast-day  by  proclamation  of  the  President  (4  Jan.b 
ObseiTed  generally  by  Noith  and  Border  States,  but  signin- 
cantly  disregarded  by  the  South.  Foil  MorL^an,  at  the  mouth 
of  Mobile  Harbor,  and  the  U.  8.  Arsenal  at  Mobile,  are  seized  by 
State  troops  at  the  command  of  Gov.  Moore,  of  Ala.  The  Con- 
vention of  South  Carolina  agi  ees  to  send  delegates  to  the  forth- 
coming “ General  Congress  of  the  Seceding  Sfates.” 

Steamer  Star  of  the^Vest  is  chartered  and  sent  from  New  York 
to  Fort  Sumter,  to  reinforce  Major  Anderson  (5  Jan.).  South 
Carolina  Convention  adjourns. 

State  Conventions  of  Alabama  and  Mississipjji  meet  (7  Jan.); 
meeting  of  the  Legislatures  of  Tennessee  and  Virginia.  Senator 
Toombs  makes  his  famous  secession  speech. 

Forts  Johnson  and  Caswell  are  seized  (8  Jan.);  Secretary 
Tliompson  retires  from  the  Interior  Department. 

First  shot  of  the  Bebellion  fired  (9  Jan.);  iho  Star  of  tht  WeU 
arrives  off  Charleston  and  is  fired  upon  by  tlie  forts  on  Morris 
Island,  and  driven  back  to  sea.  Mississippi  secedes  from  the 
Union;  the  Convention  passes  the  ordinance  of  Secession  by 
84  to  15.  Florida  secedes  by  a vote  of  62  to  7 (10  Jan.).  Ala- 
bama secedes,  the  ordinance  passing  by  61  to  39  (11  Jan.). 
Seizure  of  U.  S.  Arsenal  at  Baton  Kouge,  Ports  PhiHij)  and 
Jackson,  and  Poit  Pickens  on  Lake  Ponchartrain,  by  Louisiana. 
New  York  Legislature  votes  to  offer  the  President  the  whole 
military  power  of  the  State  for  the  support  of  the  Constitution. 

^Flie  Pensacola  Navy  Yai  d is  seized  by  rebels,  and  the  cutter 
Lewis  Cass  is  seized  at  New  Orleans  (12  Jan.). 

The  S.  Carolina  Legislature  declares  that  any  attempt  to  re- 
inforce Fort  Sumter  would  be  accepted  as  an  act  of  war  (14 
Jan.).  The  Senators  from  Mississippi  withdraw  from  the 
Senate. 

In  the  Senate,  Mr.  Clark’s  resolution  that  the  Constitution 
ought  to  be  iireseived  and  Secession  put  down,  is  carried  In 
o})l)Osition  to  the  Crittenden  Compromise  (16  Jan.).  Arkansas 
and  Missouri  vote  to  hold  a Convention.  Maj.-Gen.  Sanford, 
of  N.  Y.  City,  tenders  the  President  the  services  of  the  First 
Division  of  7000  men  for  any  sei'vice  he  may  desire.  Col  Hayne, 
in  the  naiiui  of  Gov.  Pickens,  demands  of  the  President  the 
Kuncndci-  of  Fort  Sumter;  the  President  refuses  to  recognize 
the  Col.  in  any  oflicial  cajiacity. 


1861. 


History  of  the  United  States.  197 

Batteries  commaiiding  tlie  Mississippi  are  erected  at  Vicks- 
burg (17  Jan.). 

Georgia  secedes,  adopting  the  ordinance  of  Secession  by  208 
to  89  (19  Jan.). 

Alabama  members  of  Congress  resign,  in  consequence  of 
which  Jefferson  Davis  leaves  the  Senate  (21  Jan.). 

The  Louisiana  Legislature  passes  the  Secession  ordinance  by 
113  to  17  (26  Jan.). 

The  Texas  Convention  pass  the  ordinance  of  Secession  by 
166  to  7 (1  Feb.).  Seizure  of  the  Mint  and  Custom  House  at 
New  Orleans  (1). 

The  Delegates  of  the  “ Free  and  Independent  Sovereignties,” 
as  the  Seceding  States  call  themselves,  meet  at  Montgomery, 
Ala.  (4  Feb.),  to  organize  a Confederate  Government.  Howell 
Cobb  is  chosen  chairman.  On  the  same  day,  ex-President 
Tyler  presides  over  a Peace  Congress  in  Washington.  The 
l\lontgomery  Convention  organize  a provisional  government 
(9  Feb.),  under  the  title  of  “The  Confederate  States  of  America.” 
Jefferson  Davis,  of  Mississppi,  is  elected  President,  and  Alex- 
ander H.  Stephens,  of  Georgia,  Vice-Pi'esident. 

Abraham  Lincoln  leaves  his  home  in  Springfield,  for  Wash- 
ington (11  Feb.);  many  of  his  i)ersonal  friends  accompaii}^  him 
to  the  depot,  where  he  gives  a brief  address  that  is  as  simxde  as 
impressive. 

The  electoral  vote  is  counted  (13  Feb.),  and  Lincoln  and 
Hamlin  are  officially  declared  elected. 

Jefferson  Davis  is  inaugurated  President  of  the  Confederate 
States  of  America  (18  Feb.);  he  appoints  his  Cabinet  (21  Feb.): 
Toombs,  Secretary  of  State;  Memminger,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury;  L.  P.  Walker,  Secretary  of^War,  Several  New 
York  vessels  are  seized  by  order  of  the  Gov.  of  Georgia. 

Abraham  Lincoln  travels  by  night  from  Harrisburg  to  Wash- 
ington, to  prevent  an  anticipated  outrage  in  Baltimore  (22  Feb.). 

Gen.  Twiggs  surrenders  Government  property  in  Texas, 
amo^mting  to  the  sum  of  §1 ,200,000,  to  the  Confederacy  (23  Feb.), 
and  IS  expelled  from  the  army  (1  March). 

Abraham  Lincoln  is  inaugurated  President  (4  March).  The 
oath  of  office  is  administered  by  Chief  Justice  Taney.  In  his 
inaugural  address,  Lincoln  expresses  kindly  feelings  towai  d the 
people  of  every  iiortion  of  the  Republic;  announces  his  deter- 
mination to  administer  the  Government  impartially  for  the  pro- 
tection of  every  citizen  and  every  interest;  but  at  tlie  same  time 
declares  that  he  will  enforce  the  laws,  protecting  public  prop- 
erty, and  re-possess  that  which  had  been  seized  by  iiisurgents. 
Notwithstanding  the  unsettled  state  of  affairs,  the  usual 
pageant  of  an  Inauguration  Ball  is  seen  in  the  evening. 

The  State  Convention  declares  Texas  out  of  the  Union  (4). 

Pj-esident  Lincoln  sends  the  following  nominations  for  liis 
Cabinet  to  the  Senate  (5  March):  William  H.  Seward,  N.  Y., 
Secretary  of  State;  Salmon  P.  Chase,  Ohio,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury;  Simon  Cameron,  Penn.,  Secretaiy  of  War;  Gideon 
AVells,  Conn.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  Caleb  Smith,  Ind., 
Secretary  of  the  Interior;  Montgomeiy  Blair,  Md.,  Postmaster- 
General;  and  Edward  Bates,  Mo.,  Attorney-General;  thenom- 


History  of  the  United  States.  1^7 

2861.  Batteries  commanding  tlie  Mississippi  are  erected  at  Vicks- 
burg (17  Jan.). 

Georgia  secedes,  adopting  the  ordinance  of  Secession  by  208 
to  89  (19  Jan.). 

Alabama  members  of  Congress  resign,  in  consequence  of 
which  Jefferson  Davis  leaves  the  Senate  (21  Jan.). 

The  Louisiana  Legislatiu*e  passes  the  Secession  ordinance  by 
113  to  17  (26  Jan.). 

The  Texas  Convention  pass  the  ordinance  of  Secession  by 
166  to  7 (1  Feb.).  Seizure  of  the  Mint  and  Custom  House  at 
New  Orleans  (1), 

The  Delegates  of  the  Free  and  Independent  Sovereignties,^^ 
as  the  Seceding  States  call  themselves,  meet  at  Montgomery, 
Ala.  (4  Feb.),  to  organize  a Confederate  Government.  Howell 
Cobb  is  chosen  chairman.  On  the  same  day,  ex-President 
Tyler  presides  over  a Peace  Congress  in  Washington.  The 
Montgomery  Convention  organize  a provisional  government 
(9  Feb.),  under  the  title  of  “The  Confederate  States  of  America.’’ 
Jefferson  Davis,  of  Mississppi,  is  elected  President,  and  Alex- 
ander H.  Stephens,  of  Georgia,  Vice-President. 

Abraham  Lincoln  leaves  nis  home  in  Springfield,  for  Wash- 
ington (11  Feb.);  many  of  his  personal  friends  accompany  him 
to  the  depot,  where  he  gives  a brief  address  that  is  as  simple  as 
ijiipressive. 

The  electoral  vote  is  counted  (13  Feb.\  and  Lincoln  and 
Hamlin  are  officially  declared  elected, 

Jefferson  Davis  is  inaugurated  President  of  the  Confederate 
States  of  America  (18  Feb.);  he  appoints  his  Cabinet  (21  Feb.): 
Toombs,  Secretary  of  State;  Mernminger,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury;  L.  P.  Walker,  Secretary  of  War.  Several  New 
York  vessels  are  seized  by  order  of  the  Gov.  of  Georgia. 

Abraham  Lincoln  travels  by  night  from  Harrisburg  to  Wash- 
ington, to  prevent  an  anticipated  outrage  in  Baltimore  (22  Feb.). 

Gen.  Twiggs  surrenders  Government  property  in  Texas, 
amounting  to  the  sum  of  $1 ,200,000,  to  the  Confederacy  (23  Feb.), 
and  is  expelled  from  the  army  (1  March). 

Abraham  Lincoln  is  inaugurated  President  (4  March).  The 
oath  of  office  is  administered  by  Chief  Justice  Taney.  In  his 
inaugural  address,  Lincoln  expresses  kindly  feelings  towa]*d  the 
people  of  every  portion  of  the  Republic;  announces  his  deter- 
mination to  administer  the  Government  impartially  for  the  pro- 
tection of  every  citizen  and  every  interest;  but  at  the  same  time 
declares  that  he  will  enforce  the  laws,  protecting  public  prop- 
erty, and  re-posses3  that  which  had  been  seized  by  insurgents. 
Notwithstanding  the  unsettled  state  of  affairs,  the  usual 
pageant  of  an  Inauguration  Ball  is  seen  in  the  evening 

T*^ : ZtZtZ  Ci:r"ention  declares  Texas  out  of  the  Uniui.  (4). 

P esident  Line  fin  sends  the  following  nominations  for  his 
CabiOiiiet  to  the  Senate  (5  March):  William  H.  Seward,  N.  Y., 
Secretary  of  State;  Salmon  P,  Chase,  Ohio,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  Simon  Cameron,  Penn.,  Secretaiy  of  War;  Gideon 
Wells,  efonn.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  Caleb  Smith,  hid,, 
Secretary  of  the  Intericr;  Montgomery  Blair,  Md.,  Postaiaster- 
General;  and  Edward  Bates,  Mo.,  Attorney-General;  thenou3*i 


198 


History  of  the  United  States. 


J861.  Inations  arc  confirmed  by  tfie  Senate.  Gen.  Beauregard  taKefi 
command  of  the  Rebel  forces  at  Cliarleston  (5). 

Tlie  vote  c>f  Louisiana  for  and  against  Secession  is  publislicd 
(28  May):  lor  Secession,  20,448;  against,  17,296. 

'J'he  Vii  ginia  Convention  refuses  by  a vote  of  89  to  45  to  sub- 
mit a S('cessioii  ordinance  to  the  p'cojile  (4  A];ril). 

Gen.  J>eaurcgard  demands  the  surrender  of  fWt  Sumter  (11 
April),  to  w liicli  Anderson  replies  that  he  will  evacuate  the 
fort  in  five  days  if  he  receives  no  supplies  from  liis  Govern- 
ment. Fears  are  entertained  concerning  tlie  possible  seizure  of 
Washington;  troops  are  posted  all  about  the  Capitol,  and  the 
oath  of  tideiity^  is  administered  to  the  men. 

The  Civil  war  begins  (12  April);  Gen.  Beauregard  at  4:30  a. 
m.,  opens  fire  W'ith  30  heavy  guns  and  17  mortars  on  Fort  Sum- 
ter. The  fort  is  defended  by  about  70  men,  who  tight  valiantly, 
in  the  hope  that  the  naval  expedition  whic  li  they  knew  had 
been  sent  for  their  relief  may  arrive  in  time  to  raise  the  seige. 
But  a heavy  storm  prevents  the  succor  arriving  iu  time.  The 
rebels  tire  at  intervals  all  through  the  night,  but  Sumter  re- 
mains silent. 

About  7 o’clock,  a.  m.  (15  April),  Fort  Sumter  opens  fire. 
In  two  hours  the  quartei'S  of  the  otficei*s  are  all  in  a blaze;  at 
10  o’clock  the  flag  is  shot  down;  by  noon  the  whole  fort  is  on 
fire,  and  the  gravest  anxieties  are  expressed  concerning  the 
gunpowder  stored  in  the  fort;  90  barrels  are  rolled  into  the  sea; 
and  now,  hopeless  of  aid,  without  provisions,  and  utterly  pow- 
erless, Major  Anderson  agrees  to  evacuate  the  fort.  Senator 
Wigfall  bears  the  flag  of  truce. 

Major  Anderson  and  his  men  march  out  of  Fort  Sumter  (14 
April)  bearing  the  torn  flag,  the  whole  gaiTison  retiring  to  the 
government  vessels  hovering  outside  the  harbor.  They  sail 
immediately  to  New  York. 

The  news  of  the  bombardment  and  surrender  of  Fort  Sum- 
ter creates  the  wildest  excitement  (15  April).  President  Lincoln 
issues  a proclamation  calling  for  75,000  volunteei*s  to  repress 
the  rebellion.  He  also  commands  all  rebels  to  return  to  peace 
and  loyalty  in  20  days.  All  the  country  is  in  a fever  of  wild 
unrest.  The  Legislature  of  New  York  meets  and  votes  80,000 
men  and  $3,000,000  to  put  clown  the  rebellion.  The  Secretary 
of  War  issues  a requisition  to  the  several  States  to  send  their 
prescribed  quotas  of  the  sinews  of  war.  In  everjr  city,  town, 
and  village  in  the  Free-labor  States,  the  banner  of  the  Union  is 
raised.  Public  meetings  are  held,  and  eveay  indication  is  manifest 
that  the  country  at  large  realizes  that  the  long-dreaded  crisis 
has  come.  Tlie  Seceders  are  no  less  enthusiastic.  Georgia, 
theUHrolinas,  and  Virginia  ring  witli  the  cry,  “On  to  Washing- 
Hegiments  are  formed  everywhere  to  resist  ‘Attempt 
to  fC2?  e the  seceded  States  back  into  the  Union,  ' y 

Walker,  defi'erson  Davis’s  Secretary  of  War,  prophecies  ce:^- 
‘Sei'ning  tlie  Confederate  flag:  “The  flag  that  now  flaunt*  the 
breeze  heie  will  float  over  the  dome  of  the  old  Capitol  at 
Washington  before  the  first  of  May^  Let  them  try  Southern 
chivalry,  and  test  llie  extent  of  Southern  resource* It  may 
r ventually  ovi^r  Faneuil  Hall-  in  Boston,/’ 


V.’ 

i • iTi. 

1 '»J  ‘‘J'o; 


-m-' ' 


198 


lliaiory  of  the  TJnlied  States, 


1861.  illations  are  oonfinned  by  tlie  Senate.  Gen.  Beauregard  takes 
coniinand  of  tlie  Rel)el  forces  at  Charleston  (6). 

I’tie  vote  of  Louisiana  for  and  against  Secession  is  jmblislied 
(28  May]:  for  Secession,  20,448;  against,  17,206. 

l'he  \irginia  Convention  refuses  by  a voteof  89  to  45  to  sub- 
mit a Secession  ordinance  to  tlie  jicojile  (4  Ajirib. 

Gen.  Beauregard  demands  the  sun-ender  of  Fort  Sumter  (11 
A] nil),  to  which  Anderson  rcjilies  that  lie  will  evacuate  the 
fort  in  five  days  if  lie  receives  no  snjijilies  from  his  Govern- 
ment. Fears  are  enteifained  concerning  the  jiossihle  sei/uie  of 
AVa'hington;  troojis  are  jiosted  all  about  the  Capitol,  and  the 
oath  of  fidelity  is  administered  to  the  men. 

The  Civil  war  begins  (12  Aiiril);  Gen.  Beauregaixl  at  4:30  a. 
m.,  opens  tire  with  30  heavy  guns  and  17  mortars  on  Fort  Sum- 
ter. The  fort  is  defended  by  about  70  men,  who  fight  valiantly, 
in  the  lioj  e that  the  naval  exiiedition  which  they  knew  had 
been  sent  for  their  relief  may  arrive  in  time  to  raise  the  seige. 
But  a lieavy  stoi  in  prevents  the  succor  arriving  in  time.  ne 
lebels  fire  at  intervals  all  through  the  night,  but  Sumter  re- 
mains silent. 

About  7 o’clock,  a.  m.  (13  April),  Foit  Sumter  opens  fire. 
In  two  hours  the  quartc'rs  of  the  ofliceis  are  all  in  a blaze;  at 
10  o'clock  the  flag  is  shot  down;  by  noon  the  whole  fort  is  on 
fire,  and  the  gravest  anxieties  are  expressed  concerning  tlie 
gun]»owder  stored  in  the  fort;  00  barrels  are  rolled  into  the  sea; 
and  now,  hopeiess  of  aid,  without  jirovisions,  and  utterly  pow- 
erles-.  Major  Anderson  agi  ees  to  evacuate  the  fort.  Senator 
AVigfall  bears  tl  le  flag  of  ti  uce. 

Major  Anderson  and  his  men  march  out  of  Foil  Sumter  (14 
April  ) bearing  the  torn  flag,  the  whole  garrison  retiring  to  the 
govei  iiment  vessels  liovering  outside  the  hai*bor.  They  sail 
immediately  to  New  York. 

The  news  of  the  bombardment  and  surrender  of  Foit  Sum- 
ter creates  the  wildest  excitement  (15  Ai)iil).  President  Lincoln 
issues  a ])roclamation  calling  for  75,000  volunteers  to  repress 
the  rebellion.  He  also  commands  all  rebels  to  return  to  p.eace 
and  loyalty  in  20  days.  All  the  country  is  in  a fever  of  wild 
uni  est.  li)e  Legislature  of  New^  York  meets  and  votes  30,000 
men  and  $3,000,000  to  put  down  the  rebellion.  The  Secjctary 
of  Y’ar  issues  a j equisition  to  the  several  States  to  send  tlicir 
lU’cscribed  quotas  of  the  sinews  of  war.  In  every  city,  tr  w ji, 
and  village  in  the  Free-labor  States,  the  banner  of  the  Union  is 
l aised.  Public  meetiiigs  are  held,  and  every  indication  is  manifest 
that  the  country  at  large  realizes  tliat  the  long-dieaded  crisis 
lias  come,  liie  Seceders  are  no  less  enthusiastic.  Georgia, 
thcCarolinas,  and  Virginia  ring  w ith  the  cry,  “On  to  Washing' 
ton!  ” Jtegiments  are  foi  ined  everywhere  to  resist  any  attempt 
to  force  the  sc^ceded  States  back  into  the  ITnion.  Lc  Koy  Poi)e 
Walker,  JclTeison  Davis’s  Secretary  of  War,  jwophecies  eon- 
ceiniijgthe  Confederate  Hag:  “ ’J7ic  flag  that  now^  flaunts  the 
lueeze  hoe  will  float  over  the  dome  of  the  old  Capitol  at 
Washington  bcfoie  thefii-stof  May.  Let  tljcm  try  Southern 
chivah  v,  and  test  the  extent  of  Soutliern  resource^', and  it  may 
float  cvcJJtmilly  over  Faneuil  Hall,  in  Boston," 


199 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

18C1.  In  the  Virginia  Convention  it  is  resolved  (17  April)  in  secret  ses- 
sion, by  a vote  of  60  to  53,  to  submit  tlie  Secession  Ordinance 
to  the  people.  Jefferson  Da\is  issues  a proclamation  offering 
Letters  of  Marque  and  Keprisal  to  all  who  wish  to  engage  in 
privateering. 

The  loyal  troops  passing  through  Baltimore  on  their  way  to 
Washington  are  assailed  by  a fierce  and  angry  mob  (19  April). 
After  bearing  for  a time  a storm  of  paving-stones  and  other 
deadly  missiles,  the  6th  Massachusetts  Regiment,  under  com- 
mand of  their  Colonel,  fire  on  the  mob.  A scene  of  indescribable 
confusion  ensues.  Two  soldiers  are  killed  and  7 wounded, 
while  11  rioters  are  killed  and  many  wounded.  The  Mayor  of 
Baltimore  informs  the  President  that  no  more  troops  can  pass 
through  Baltimore  without  fighting  their  wa)".  The  steamer 
Star  of  ilie  ^Vest  is  seized  off  Indianola,  Texas,  by  Confederates 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Van  Dorn.  President  Lincoln 
issues  a proclamation  by  which  the  ports  of  S.  Carolina,Flonda, 
Georgia,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  and  Texas  are  declared  to  be 
in  a state  of  blockade  (19). 

A great  mass  meeting  is  held  in  New  York,  under  the  presi- 
dency of  John  A.  Dix  (20  April)*  Major  Anderson  is  present. 

The  Federal  Government  takes  possession  of  the  Philadelphia 
and  Baltimore  Railroad  (21  April). 

The  Arsenal  at  Harper’s  Ferry  is  burned  by  its  garrison  (21 
April). 

Governor  Letcher  proclaims  Vii’ginia  a member  of  the  South- 
ern Confederacy  (25  April). 

President  Lincoln  includes  Virginia  and  N.  Carolina  in  the 
blockade  (27  April). 

The  Maryland  House  of  Delegates  vote  against  Secession,  63 
to  13  (29  April). 

The  Connecticut  Legislature  votes  ^=2, 000, 000  for  public 
defense  (3  May). 

President  Lincoln  calls  for  42,000  three-years’  volunteers, 
22,000  troops  for  the  regular  army  to  serve  “ during  the  war,” 
and  18,000  men  for  the  navy  (3  May).  ^ 

Tennessee  secedes  (6  !May). 

N.  Carolina  secedes  (^0  May). 

Thirteen  thousand  troops  cross  the  Potomac  into  Virginia  (24 
Maj").  Alexandria  is  occupied  by  Federal  troops.  Col.  Ells- 
worth is  shot  and  killed  by  Jackson,  at  Alexandria,  and  Jackson 
is  killed  by  a soldier  of  Ellsworth’s.  Arlington  Heights  are  oc- 
cu])ied  by  Union  troops.  Gen.  Butler  declares  all  slaves  con- 
traband of  war.  All  postal  service  in  the  seceded  States  is 
suspended. 

Hon.  S.  A.  Douglas  dies  in  Chicago  (3  June);  he  was  born  at 
Brandon,  Vt.,  23  April,  1813. 

The  Battle  of  Big  Bethel  is  fought  (10  June),  and  Major  AVin- 
throp  is  killed;  the  Union  troot^s  under  General  Pierce  are 
repulsed. 

A Fast -day  is  obser\^ed  in  the  Rebel  States  (13  June). 

The  Confederates  evacuate  Harper’s  Ferry,  after  destroying 
all  available  property  (14  June). 

A Western  A^a.  Convention  unanimously  votes  its  Indepen- 


History  of  the  United  States. 


199 


,18^31  > in  the  Virginia  Convention  it  is  resolv ?!  (17  Anril)  in  secret  ses- 
Sion,  by  a v(-te  of  60  to  53,  to  submit  tlu  S n ession  Ordinance 
to  the  people.  Jefferson  Davis  issues  a jjroe’a.nn.tion  offering 
Letters  of  Marque  and  Reprisal  to  ail  who  wisii  to  engage  in 


Balthnore  on  their  way  to 


Washington  are  assailed  by  a tierce  and  angry  mob  (19  April). 
After  healing  for  a time  a storm  of  paving-stones  and  other 
deadly  missies,  the  6th  Massaclmsetts  Regiment,  under  com- 
mand of  their  Colonel,  lire  on  the  mob.  A scene  of  indescribable 
confusion  ensues,  'ihvo  soldica’s  are  killed  and  7 wounded, 
while  11  rioters  are  kllloil  and  many  wou’vlcd.  The  Mayor  of 
Balti  more  Informs  the  Rresidanit  that  no  more  troops  can  pass 
tln*ough  Raltimci'e  without  lighting  their  way.  ddie  steamer 
Stay'  of  the  is  seized  off  Indlanohi/rexas,  by  Confederates 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Van  Doiai.  President  Lincoln 
issues  a proclamation  by  wiikh  the  }mitsof  S.  Carolina, Florida, 
Georgia,  Mississipp'i,  Louisiana,  and  Texas  are  declared  to  be 
ill  a state  of  blockade  (19). 

A gi  ciit  mass  meeting  is  held  in  New  York^  under  the  presi- 
den<*y  of  John  A.  Dlx"(20  A[)ri]);  Major  Anderson  is  present. 

The  Federal  Govei'iimeiit  takes  possession  of  the  Philadelphia 
and  Baltimore  Railroad  (21  Ai)rii). 

The  Arsenal  at  Harper’s  Feri-y  is  burned  by  its  garrison  (21 
Ara-il). 

Governor  Letcher  proclaims  Virginia  a member  of  the  South- 
ern Confederacy  (25  Apidl). 

President  Lincoln  iiiciudes  Virginia  and  N.  Carolina  in  the 
blockade  (27  April). 

Tlie  Maryland  House  of  Delegates  vote  against  Secession.  63 
to  13  (29  April). 

The  Connecticut  Legislature  votes  $2,000,000  for  public 
defense  (3  May). 

President  Lincoln  calls  for  42,000  three-years’  volunteers, 
22,000  trooi>s  for  the  regular  army  to  serve  “ during  the  war,” 
and  18,000  men  for  the  navy  (3  Ma}  ). 

Tennessee  secedes  (6  May). 

N.  Carolina  secedes  ( 0 iMay). 

Thirteen  thousand  troops  ci'oss  the  Potomac  into  Virginia  (24 
M.ay)._  Alexandria  is  occupied  by  Federal  troops.  Col.  Ells- 
worth is  shot  and  killed  by  Jackson,  at  Alexandria,  and  Jackson 
Is  killed  by  a soldier  of  EilswoiHi’s.  Arfingtoii  Heights  are  oc- 
cupied by  Union  troo[)S.  Gen.  Butler  declares  all  slaves  con- 
traband of  war.  All  postal  service  in  the  seceded  States  is 
sus{)ended. 


lion.  B.  A.  Douglas  dies  in  Chicago  (3  June);  he  was  born  at 
Brandon,  Vt.,  23  April,  1813. 

The  Battle  of  Big  Bethel  is  fought  (10  June),  and  Major  Win® 
throp  is  killed]  the  Union  ti'oops  under  General  Pierce 
repulsed. 

A Fast-day  is  observed  in  tue  Rebel  States  (13  June). 

The  Confederates  evacuate  Harper’s  Ferry,  after  destroy  ^ 
all  available  property  (14  June). 

A Western  Ya.  Conventior  unanimously  votes  Its  kidepTJ- 


200 

1861. 


History  of  the  united  i^tates, 

dence  of  tlio  seceding  section  of  the  States  (IV  June).  8Jx 
seceders  are  killed  in  a street  liglit  in  St.  I^onis.  At  t})e  Jiattle  of 
Booneville,  Mo.,  the  Kebels  aie  loiited  with  a l(-ss  of  50  (17). 
General ratterson  crosses  the  Potoniacat  Willianisi.ort  (17  June). 

General  McClellan  assumes  command  cf  the  ai  iny  in  Western 
Virginia  (20  June). 

l^rty-eight  locomotives  belongiiig  to  the  Baltimoie  and  Ohio 
Railroad,  valued  at  $720,000,  are  destroyed  by  the  Confeder* 
ates  (23  June).  Balloon  reconnaissances  (ommenc(5,  23. 

The  Secession  vote  in  Virginia  (25  June)  stands  128,884  for 
Secession,  32,134  against. 

Iowa  votes  a war  loan  of  $000,000  (25). 

In  a skirmish  at  ratterson’s  Cita  k,  Va.,  17  Confederates  and 
1 Union  man  are  kdled  (2(5  Juiud. 

The  first  war  loan  of  theU.S.  Government  is  asked  for,  $250,- 
000,000  (1  July).  At  the  battle  at  Buckhannon,  Va.,  the  Con- 
federates are  routed,  with  23  killed  and  200  prisonei’s  (1  July). 
Skirmish  at  Falling  Water,  Va.  (1  Jufy). 

Congress  meets  in  extra  session  (4  July).  New  Ilamjjshire 
votes  a $1,000,000  loan  for  the  war  (4).  A great  Union  meeting 
is  held  in  San  Francisco  (4). 

At  the  battle  of  Carthage,  Mo.,  tlie  Kebels  lose  350  killed  and 
vounded. 

The  Western  Department,  consisting  of  Illinois  and  the 
States  and  Territories  west  of  the  Mississipj  i and  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  is  put  under  tlie  (ominand  of  General  J.  C. 
Fremont,  with  lieadquarters  at  Sr.  Louis  ((5  July). 

At  the  battle  of  Carrickford,  Va.,  General  (iarnett  is  killed 
(13).  President  Lincoln  is  authorized  to  call  out  the  militia, 
ana  accept  the  services  of  500,000  men  (13). 

The  first  skirmish  of  Bulfs  Run  takes  place  (18  July)  at 
Blackburn's  Ford,  between  Union  troops  under  General  '1  yler, 
and  Confederates  under  General  Beauregard;  after  three  hours’ 
hard  fighting,  Gen.  Tyler  orders  his  men  to  fall  back  toCentre- 
ville;  the  Union  loss  is  19  killed,  38  wounded,  and  2Q  !i.issing. 

The  Confederate  Congress  meets  at  Richmond  (20  Ju'y). 

The  celebrated  battle  of  Biill’s  Run  is  fought  (21  July);  Gen. 
Beauregard  lies  at  Manassas  ith  a Confederate  force  variously 
estimated  at  from  30,000  to  40,000  men.  His  position  is  on  the 
banks  of  a little  stream  in  a narrow  wooded  valley,  the  ground 
rising  on  either  side  iido  “ bluffs”  crowned  with  frequent 
patches  of  dense  wood.  Gen.  McDowell,  with  an  army  of  not  less 
feian  18,000  men,  fords  the  narrow  stream,  and  at  about  10 
o’clock  in  the  morning  commences  the  attack;  from  the  heights 
on  the  northern  hank  of  the  sti  eam,  the  Federal  army  jdays 
upon  tlie  Confederate  troops;  and  the  battle  s];rcads  far  into  ti-ie 
r.., — woods.  After  figliting  for  ten  liours,  the  Union 
aatk'i/ib  • i w'  le  point  of  winning  the  day,  when  an  iinaccount- 
ubie  panic  s.  izes  the  troojis,  and  nearly  the  whole  Federal  force 
reti*eats  toward  Washington  in  the  utmost  disorder.  The  Union 
losses  are  479  killed,  1011  wounded,  and  1500  ])risoneis;  Beau- 
regard Hiports  the  Coiiredorato  losses  at  893  killed  and  1200 
wounded.  The  Sonthernoj-s  are  exultant  at  this  victory,  and 
regard  it  aa  an  omen  of  the  final  victorr  ot  tlnJr  musa 


200 

1801. 


History  of  the  JTnitcd  States. 

deuce  of  tlio  seceding  section  of  the  States  (17  June).  Six 
seeeders  arc  killed  in  a street  light  in  St.  Louis.  At  the  Battle  of 
]5ooneville,  Mo.,  the  B(*hels  are  routed  Avith  a loss  of  50(17). 
Genei  al  Patterson  crosses  the  lN)toinac  at  AVilliainsiiOrt  (17  June). 

General  McClellan  assinnes  connnand  of  the  army  in  'Western 
Vir^dnia  (20  June). 

Foidy-eight  locomotives  belonging  to  the  ILltimore  and  Ohio 
Bailroad,  valued  at  ^=4, 000, 000,  are  destroyed  by  the  Confeder- 
ates (23  June).  Balloon  i*econnaissances  commence,  23. 

The  Secession  vote  in  Virginia  (25  June)  stands  128,884  for 
Secession,  32,134  against. 

Iowa  votes  a war  loan  of  $000,000  (25). 

In  a skirmish  at  Patterson's  Creek,  Va.,  17  Confederates  and 
1 rnion  man  are  killed  (20  Juneb 

Tlie  first  war  loan  of  tlieU.S.  (government  is  asked  for,  $250,- 
000,000  (1  July).  At  the  battle  at  Buckhannon,  Va.,  the  Con- 
federates are  routed,  with  23  killed  and  200  pi'isoncrs  (1  July). 
Skirmisli  at  Falling-  'Water,  Va.  (1  July). 

Congress  meets  in  extra  session  (4  July).  X(‘w  Hampshire 
votes  a $1,000, 000  loan  for  the  war  (4).  A great  Union  meeting 
is  held  in  8a n Francisco  (4). 

At  the  battle  of  Carthage,  Mo.,  the  Bebels  lose  350  killed  and 
Avounded. 

The  Western  Department,  consisting  of  Illinois  and  the 
States  and  Territories  Avest  of  the  Mississii^jii  and  east  of  the 
Pocky  Mountains,  is  jint  under  the  command  of  General  J.  C. 
Fremont,  Aviti)  headiiuartei  s at  St.  Louis  (0  July). 

At  the  battle  of  Carrickford,  Va.,  General  (jarnett  is  killed 
(13).  President  Lincoln  is  authorized  to  call  out  the  militia, 
and  accejit  the  services  of  500,000  men  (13). 

Tl)e  first  skirmish  of  Bulks  Pun  takes  pla^-e  (18  July)  at 
Blackbui-n’s  Ford,  between  Union  troops  under  General  ^Fyler, 
and  Confederates  under  General  Beauregard;  after  three  hours’ 
liai  d fighting,  Gen.  Tyler  orders  his  men  to  fall  back  toCentre- 
ville;  the  Union  loss  is  10  killed,  38  Avounded,  and  2G  missing. 

The  Confederate  Congress  meets  at  Pichmond  (20  July). 

The  celebi-ated  battle  of  Biilfs  Pun  is  fought  (21  July);  Gen. 
Beauregard  lies  at  Manassas  A^  ith  a Confederate  force  variously 
estimated  at  from  30.000  to  40,000  men.  His  position  is  on  the 
banks  of  a little  stream  in  a narroAv  Avooded  valley,  thegi-ound 
rising  on  either  side  into  “bluhs”  croAvned  Avith  frequent 
l)atches  of  denscAvood.  Gen.  McDoAvell,  Avith  an  army  of  not  less 
than  18.000  men,  fords  the  narrow  stream,  and  at  about  10 
o’clock  in  the  morning  commences  the  attack;  from  the  heights 
on  the  nortliern  bank  of  the  stream,  the  Federal  army  plays 
u])on  the  Confederate  troops;  and  the  battle  sja  eads  far  into  the 
sui-rounding  Avoods.  After  fighting  for  ten  liours,  the  Union 
army  is  on  the  jHiint  of  Avinningthe  day,  Avhen  an  unaccount- 
able ]»anic  seizes  thetioojis,  and  nearly  theAvholc  Federal  force 
retreats  toward  Wasliington  in  the  utmost  disorder.  The  Union 
losses  are  479  killed,  1011  wounded,  and  1500  piisoners;  Beau- 
regard rei>orts  the  Confederate  losses  at  303  killed  and  1200 
Avounded.  The  Southernei*s  are  (‘xultant  at  this  victory,  and 
regard  it  as  an  omen  of  the  final  victory  of  their  cause. 


201 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1861.  General  McClellan  is  placed  in  coinmand  of  the  Potomac 
army  (22  July).  The  three-months’  volunteers  begin  to  retuim 
home  (22  July). 

The  Confederates  retreat  from  Harper’s  Ferry  to  Leesburg 
(1  Aug.).  Gen.  McClellan  commences  to  reorganize  the  Fed- 
eral ari^iy  (1  Aug.). 

The  war-tax  and  tariff  bills  are  passed  by  Congress  (2 
Aug.) ; 500,000  men  are  to  be  raised.  The  battle  of  Dug 
Springs,  !Mo..  is  fought  (2);  the  Confederate  losses  are  40  killed 
and  44  wounded  * tlie  Union  losses,  8 killed  and  30  wounded. 
Fort  Fillmore,  New  ^lexico,  is  traitorously  surrendered  by 
IMajor  Lynde  with  750  men  (2).  Confederate  vessels  and  stores 
are  sunk  in  Pokomoke  Sound  (2). 

Congress  passes  the  Confiscation  Bill,  and  the  bill  for  raising 
$20,000,000  by  direct  taxation  (3  Aug.). 

Galveston  is  bombarded  (5  Aug.).  At  the  battle  of  Athens, 
^lo.,  the  Confederates  are  defeated  with  a loss  of  40  men  (5). 

The  extra  session  of  Congress  closes  (G  Aug.). 

The  battle  of  Wilson's  Creek,  near  Springfield,  Mo.,  is  fought 
(10  Aug.);  Gen.  Lyon,  Avirh  5200 men,  attacks  24,000  Confeder- 
ates under  McCulloch;  Gen.  Lyons  is  killed  while  heading  a 
charge;  the  Confederate  loss  is  420  killed  and  1300  wounded; 
Union  loss,  203  killed,  and  721  wounded. 

President  Lincoln  apjHjints  26  Sep.  as  a fast-day  (12  Aug.). 

The  7th  Ohio  regiment  are  surprised  by  the  enemy  during 
breakfast  hour,  but  gallantly  fight  their  wa}"  out  (26  Aug.). 

The  Kentucky  Legislature  meets  (2  Sep.);  in  the  Senate  the 
vote  is  27  for  Union  and  11  for  Secession;  in  the  House,  76  for 
Union  and  24  for  Secession. 

Massacre  on  the  Hannibal  k St.  Joseph  Eailroad  (3  Sep.). 
The  bridge  at  Platte  is  burned,  and  17  lives  are  lost. 

President  Lincoln  makes  certain  modifications  in  Fremont’s 
Emancipation  ])roclamation  (11  Sep.). 

General  Fremont  takes  the  field  in  the  cause  of  the  Union  (27 
Sep.).  Skirmishes  take  jfiace  at  many  places  without  any  great 
loss  on  either  side.  Within  one  week.  Black  Kiver,  Gowans- 
ville,  Tuscrombia,  Osceola,  Papinsville,  Hunter,  Shanghae,  in 
Missouri;  Columbus,  Barboursville,  Ellcott’s  IMills,  Snnthland, 
Lucas  Bend,  and  Hopkinsville,  in  Kentuek}^;  and  Bomney, 
Catoctin  Mountain,  Lewinsville,  Chapnianville,  Munson’s  Hill, 
and  Great  Falls,  in  Virginia,  become  scenes  of  confiict. 

Fifteen  hundred  Confederates  attack  AYilson’s  Zouaves  at 
Santa  Kosa  Island  (9  Oct.);  the  Zouaves,  with  the  help  of  Fort 
Ifickens,  win  the  day. 

The  Confederate  ironclad  Merrimac  makes  its  first  appear- 
ance in  sight  of  Fort  Monroe  (7  Oct.).  Tlie  Confederate 
steamer  2'heodore,  with  Mason  and  Slidell  on  board,  escax>es 
from  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Gen.  Fremont  and  Secretary  Cameron  hold  a conference.  An 
attempt  is  made  to  burn  the  blockading  fleet  lying  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississipx)i;  the  Confederate  ram  is  disabled. 

Secretary  Seward  sends  a circular  to  the  Governors  of  States 
advising  sea-coast  and  lake  defences  (14  Oct.). 


201 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1861.  General  McClellan  is  placed  in  command  of  the  Potomac 
army  (22  July).  Tlie  three-months’  volunteers  begin  to  return 
home  (22  July). 

The  Confederates  retreat  from  Harper’s  Ferry  to  Leesburg 
(1  Aug.).  Gen.  McClellan  commences  to  reorganize  the  Fed- 
eral army  (1  Aug.). 

The  war-tax  and  tariff  bills  are  passed  by  Congit^ss  (2 
Aug.) ; 500,000  men  are  to  be  raised.  The  battle  of  Dug 
Springs,  Mo.,  is  fought  (2);  the  Confederate  losses  are  40  “killed 
and  44  wounded  ; the  Union  losses,  8 killed  and  30  wounded. 
Fort  Fillmore,  New  Mexico,  is  traitorously  surrendered  by 
Major  Lynde  with  750  men  (2).  Confederate  vessels  and  stores 
are  sunk  in  Pokomoke  Sound  (2). 

Congress  passes  the  Confiscation  Bill,  and  the  bill  for  raising 
$20,000,000  by  direct  taxation  (3  Aug.). 

Galveston  is  bombarded  (5  Aug.).  At  the  battle  of  Athens, 
Mo.,  the  Confederates  are  defeated  with  a loss  of  40  men  (5). 
The  extra  session  of  Congress  closes  (6  Aug.). 

The  battle  of  Wilson’sCreek,  near  Springfield,  Mo.,  is  fought 
(10  Aug.);  Gen.  Lyon,  with  5200  men,  attacks  24,000  Uonfeder- 
aies  under  McCulloch;  Gen.  Lyons  is  killed  while  iieading  a 
charge;  the  Confederate  loss  is  420  killed  and  1300  wounded; 
Onion  loss,  263  killed,  and  721  wounded. 

President  Lincoln  appoints  26  Sep.  as  a fast-day  (12  Aug.\ 
The  7th  Oiiio  regiiuent  are  surprised  by  the  enemy  during 
breakfast  hour,  but  gallantly  fight  their  way  out  (26  Aug.). 

The  Kentucky  Legislature  meets  (2  Sep.);  in  the  Senate  the 
vote  is  27  for  Union  and  11  for  Secession;  in  the  House,  76  for 
Union  and  24  for  Secession. 

Massacre  on  the  Hannibal  & St.  Joseph  Railroad  (3  Sep.). 
The  bridge  at  Platte  is  burned,  and  17  lives  are  lost. 

President  Lincoln  makes  certain  modifications  in  Fremont’s 
Emancipation  proclamation  (11  Sep.). 

General  Fremont  takes  the  field  in  the  cause  of  the  Union  (27 
Sep.).  Skirmishes  take  place  at  many  places  without  any  great 
loss  on  either  side.  Within  one  week.  Black  River,  Gowans- 
ville,  Tuscrombia,  Osceola,  Papinsville,  Hunter,  Shanghae,  in 
Missouri;  Columbus,  Barboui'sville,  Elicott’s  Mills,  Smithland, 
Lucas  Bend,  and  Hopkinsville,  in  Kentucky;  and  Romney, 
Catoctin  Mountain,  Levvinsville,  Chapmanville,  Munson’s  Hill, 
and  Great  Falls,  in  Virginia,  become  scenes  of  conflict. 

Fifteen  hundred  Confederates  attack  Wilson’s  Zouaves  at 
Santa  Rosa  Island  (9  Oct.);  the  Zouaves,  with  tiie  help  of  Fort 
Pickens,  win  the  day. 

The  Confederate  ironclad  Merrlmae  makes  its  first  appear- 
ance in  sight  of  Fort  Monroe  (7  Oct.).  The  Confederate 
steamer  Th^odore^  with  Mason  and  Siiaui  ' oard,  escapes 
from  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Gen.  Frdmoiit  and  Secretary  Cameron  hold  a conference.  An 
attempt  is  macle  to  bui-n  the  blockading  fleet  lying  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi;  the  Confederate  rani  is  disabled. 

Secretary  Seward  sends  a circular  to  the  Governors  of  States 
advising  sea-coast  and  lake  defences  (14  Oct.). 


202 


History  of  the  United  IStates. 

1861.  The  Confederates  are  defeated  at  Linn  Creek,  Mo.  (15  Oct.). 
The  battle  of  Edward’s  Ferry  is  fonglit(21  Get.);  Gen.  Stone’s 
division  of  1500  men  are  attacked  by  double  their  number  dur- 
ing a reconnaisance  on  the  Potomac.  After  a fierce  contest  the 
Union  men  are  di*iven  back,  and  re-crossing  the  river  in  great 
confusion,  many  are  diowned. 

Major  Zagonyi,  with  part  of  Gen.  Fremont’s  body-guard, 
makes  a gallant  charge  upon  and  utterly  routs  a Confederate 
force  of  2000  at  Springfield,  Mo.  (26  Oct.). 

The  second  naval  exi)edition,  consisting  of  80  vessels  and 
15,000  men,  sails  from  Fortress  Monioc  (29  Oct.).  The  naval 
forces  are  under  Commodore  Dupont;  the  land  forces  under 
Gen.  Sherman. 

Lieut.-Gen.  Scott  resigns  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
armies  of  tlieU.  S.  (31  Oct.);  Gen.  McClellan  is  appointed  in  his 
place  (1  Nov.). 

A party  in  Missouri  pass  an  ordinance  of  Secession  (2  Nov.). 

Maj.-Gen.  Fremont  is  removed  from  his  command  (2  Nov.), 
and  is  succeeded  by  Gen.  Hunter  in  the  command  of  tlie  West- 
ern Department.  Gen.  Fremont  returns  to  St.  Louis,  and  is 
received  there  with  the  most  enthusiastic  tokens  of  regard. 

Capt.  Wilkes,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  on  the  San  Jacinto,  stops 
the  British  mail-steamer  Trent,  and  takes  off  Mason  and  Slidell, 
the  Confederate  Commissioners,  as  i)risoners(8  Nov.),  and  takes 
them  to  Boston  (19  Nov.). 

Gen.  Fremont’s  staff  are  dismissed  (12  Nov.). 

The  Confederate  Congress  meets  at  Kichmond  (18  Nov.). 

Mason  and  Slidell  are  placed  in  Foi  t Warren  (24  Nov.). 

A party  in  Kentucky  pass  an  ordinance  of  Secession  (30  Nov.). 

Gen.  McClellan  directs  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  in  all 
the  camps  of  the  U.  S.  Army  (30  Nov.). 

Lord  Lyons,  the  British  Minister  at  Washington , is  instructed 
by  the  British  Government  (30  Nov.)  to  leave  America  within  7 
days,  unless  the  U.  S.  Government  consent  to  the  unconditional 
liberation  of  Mason  and  Slidell. 

Jefferson  Davis  is  elected  President  of  the  Confederate  States 
for  six  years  (30). 

Congress  votes  thanks  to  Capt.  Wilkes  for  capturing  Mason 
and  Slidell  (2  Dec.);  the  foreign  envoys  at  Washington  protest 
against  this  act  (3  Dec.). 

News  comes  from  England  of  a strong  feeling  concerning  the 
arrest  of  Mason  and  Slidell  (15  Dec.);  the  attitude  assumed  is 
threatening;  troops  are  sent  to  Canada  by  the  British  Govern- 
ment as  a i)recaution  against  military  trouble. 

Mason  and  Slidell  are  surrendered  to  the  British  Minister, 
Lord  Lyons  (27  Dec.). 

Banks  in  New  York  and  elsewhere  suspend  cash 
(30  Dec.). 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  |85, 3*87,313 ; tSie  debt 
is  $90,807,828;  the  imports  are  $345,050,153  ; and  the  exports, 
$228,099,486. 

1862.  Mnson  and  Slidell  leave  Foi  t Warren  and  sail  for  England  on  the 

Britisli  sKiarner  Rinaldo  (1  Jan.). 


History  of  tne  United  States. 


203 


1862. 


Waldo  P.  Johnson  and  Trustan  Polk,  of  Missouri,  are  expelled 
from  the  Senate  (10).  . 

Simon  Cameron  resigns  his  position  as  Secretary  of  War  (11 
Jan.);  E.  M.  Stanton  is  appointed  In  his  place.  A gunboat 
action  takes  place  near  Columbus,  Ky.  (11).  The  Confederates 
burn  the  brielges  on  the  Louisville  and  Nashville  Railroad  (11). 

Thomas  defeats  the  Confederates  at.  Mill  Springs,  or  Somer- 
set, Ky.;  the  Confederate  General,  Zollicotfer,  is  killed  (19). 

The  Federals  sink  hulks  filled  with  stone  in  the  channels  of 
Charleston  Ilai-bor  (23  Jan.). 

The  Federal  Government  decides  that  the  crews  of  all  captured 
privateers  are  to  be  regarded  as  prisoners  of  war  (3  Feb.).  The 
Confederate  steamer  JSfashmlle  is  ordered  to  leave  Southampton 
harbor,  Eug.;  the  U.  S.  steamer  Tuscarora  endeavors  to  fol- 
low, but  is  stopped  by  an  English  frigate. 

Commodore  Foote, with  7 gunboats,  attacks  Fort  Henry  on  the 
Tennessee  River;  the  Confederate  commander,  Gen.  Tilghman, 
surrenders  the  fort  unconditionally  (6  Feb.). 

Gen.  Burnside  captures  6 forts  on  Roanoke  Island  (7,  8 Feb.). 

Elizabeth  City,  N.  C.,  is  surrendered  to  Gen.  Burnside’s 
forces  (10  Feb.). 

Grant  captures  FortDonelson,  with  15,000  prisoners  (16  Feb.). 

The  Confederate  Congress  meets  at  Richmond  (19  Feb.). 

Grant  captures  Nashville,  Tenn.  (23  Feb.). 

Jefferson  Davis  is  inaugurated  at  Richmond  as  President,  and 
A.  H.  Stephens,  as  Vice-President,  of  the  Southern  Confederacy 
(22  February). 

Congress  passes  an  Act  for  the  additional  issue  of  Treasury 
Notes  02  Feb.);  by  it,  $10,000,000  in  notes  of  less  than  |5  are 
authorized  in  addition  to  the  $50,000,000  previously  authorized. 

President  Liiicolii  approves  the  Legal  lYmder  Act  passed  by 
Congress  (25  Feb.);  by  it,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  is 
authorized  to  issue  notes  of  not  less  than  $5  to  the  amount  of 
$150,000,000,  not  bearing  interest,  payable  in  Washington  and 
New  York,  the  notes  to  be  legal  tender  for  all  debts,  public 
and  private,  and  to  be  received  aii-l  paid  by  the  Government 
for  all  purposes  except  duties  on  imports  and  interest  on  the 
public  debt;  those  to  be  paid  in  gold. 

The  Confederates  evacuate  Columbus  (27  Feb.).  The  Fed- 
erals occupy  Charlestown,  Va.  (28  Feb.). 

Two  Union  gunboats  and  a Confederate  battery  have  a fight 
at  Pittsburg  Landing  (1  March). 

The  Confederate  iron-plated  steamer  MerrimaCy  in  Hampton 
Roads,  sinks  the  Federal  ship  Cumberland,  and  compels  the 
Congress  to  surrender  <8  March);  but  is  repulsed  by  the  Federal 
iron-clad  floating  battery  Monitor  (9  March). 

Gen.  McClellan  takes  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
(11  March);  Gen.  Fremont  of  the  Mountain  Department,  and 
Gen.  Halleck  of  the  Mississippi  (11). 

A severe  battle  commences  at  Pittsburg  Landing  between  ihe 
Federals  under  Grant  and  the  Confederates  under  Johnston  and 
Beauregard;  and  Grant  is  driven  from  his  position  with  severe 
loss  (6  Api  il).  With  the  aid  of  Gen.  Buell’s  reinforcements 
Grant  recaptures  (7  April)  the  camps  from  which  he  had  been 


204 


History  of  the  United  States, 


18(52. 


4 


driven.  OvtT  100,000  men  aj-e  onL’'M 1 i'l  tliia  sanorulriary 
iKitlle,  an-1  a])Oiit  10,000  ai  e killed  and  wounded  on  each  side, 
Gen.  Joli).sl(-n  being  among  the  killed. 

Congiess  ])asses  a bill  abolii^hing  slavery  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  (11  April);  the  Act  provides  for  a Commission  to 
remunerate  loyal  owneis;  not  over  $)100  a slave  is  to  bo  ])aid; 
and  $1,000,000  is  apj)ropriated  for  the  pui-pos(‘;  $100,000  are 
also  ai)propi  iatcd  for  their  colonization.  An  A(  t is  also  ] ass(Ml 
abolisliing  Slavery  in  the  “ Territories  of  the  United  Statcjs.'* 

"Idle  taking  of  New  Orleans  (24  April)  by  a naval  force  under 
Commodore  Farragut,  aided  by  a land  force  under  Gen.  I^ut- 
ler,  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  exploits  of  this  eventful  year. 
The  city  is  strongly  defended;  75  miles  below  it  are  two  strong 
forts;  and  below  these  a chain  is  stretched  across  the  river  with 
earth- works  at  each  end;  between  the  foi-ts  and  the  cliain 
are  5 rafts  tilled  with  inflammable  material,  besides  18  guuboats, 
an  iron-clad  lloating  battery,  and  an  iron  ram.  Commodore 
Farragut  cannonades  the  forts  in  vain,  but  saves  liis  vessels  from 
the  burning  rafts  by  seizing  and  extinguisliing  each  as  it  floats 
down.  At  last  he  decides  to  attempt  to  run  by  the  forts  with 
his  fleet,  lie  accordingly  gets  underway,  and  while  the  forts, 
the  steamers,  and  the  batteiy  all  pour  their  fire  upon  the  fleet, 
it  steams  steadily  up  the  river  till  all  danger  is  passed;  the  Union 
vessel  Varuna  alone  sinks  or  disables  6 Confederate  steamers; 
Farragut  anchors  off  the  quarantine  station  (24  April);  and  takes 
possession  of  New  Orleans  (25).  ' 

Gen.  Butler  entei-s  New  Orleans  with  a land-force  and  pro- 
claims martial  law  (1  May). 

Morgan,  the  Guei-rilla  Chief,  captures  the  U^  lon  troops  at 
Pulaski,  Tenn.  (2  May). 

President  Lir.coln  visits  Fortress  Monroe  (6  May). 

The  Confederates  evacuate  Pensacola  and  destroy  the  Navy- 
yard  (9  May).  Battle  at  Farmington,  Miss.  (9).  Gen.  Hunter 
issues  his  emanci}  ation  proclamation  (9). 

The  iron-clad  steamer  Menimac  is  blown  up  by  the  Confed- 
erates to  prevent  its  captuie  by  the  Union  forces  (11  May). 

Natchez,  Miss.,  suriendersto  Farragut  (12  May). 

The  Confederates  are  defeated  and  driven  across  the  Chicka- 
hominy,  at  Bottom  Bridge  (17  May). 

The  Seward-Lyons  treaty  between  Great  Britain  and  the  U. 
S.  for  the  suppression  of  the  slave-trade  is  ratified  (20  May). 

General  Pope  is  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Army  of 
V'irginia  (2(5  June),  d'he  Confederates,  under  Gen.  Robert  E. 
Lee,  attack  McClellan’s  right  wing  at  Medianicsville  (26). 

President  Lincoln  gives  approval  to  an  Ac  t of  Congress  grant- 
ing aid  for  the  construction  of  a railroad  from  the  Missouri  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean  (1  July);  tlie  Ac  t gi  ants  a subsidy  of  $16,000 
in  Government  bonds  per  mile,  for  the  portion  between  the 
Missouri  and  the  base  of  the  Roc‘ky  Mountains;  $48,000  a mile 
for  a distance  of  150  miles  through  the  Rockies;  $32,000  per 
mile  b(3twc‘en  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  Sierra  Nevada; 
$^,000  j)er  mile  across  that  range;  and  $82,000  per  mile  for  the 
California  section.  The  Act  also  grants  to  the  Co.  a right  of 
way  400  feet  In  width  for  the  whole  distance,  and  a gi-ant  of 


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204 


IJhiory  of  the  United  States. 


1802.  driven.  Over  100,000  men  are  engaged  in  tliis  Ranguinaiy 
battle^  and  about  10,000  are  killed  and  wounded  on  each  tide, 
Gen.  .Johnston  ])eing  among  the  killed. 

Congress  ])asses  a bill  abolishing  slavery  in  the  Distriet  of 
Columbia  (11  April);  the  Aet  provides  for  a Commission  to 
remunerate  loyal  owners;  not  over  $^000  a slave  is  to  be  i)aid; 
and  $1,000,000  is  apjaojaiated  for  the  purpose;  $100,000  are 
.also  ai)propriated  for  their  colonization.  An  Aet  is  .also  ]>assed 
abolisliing  Slavery  in  the  “ 0'en*itories  of  the  United  States.”  ^ 

The  taking  of  New  Orleans  (24  April)  by  a naval  foree  under 
Commodore  Farragut,  aided  by  a land  force  under  Gen.  Sut- 
ler, is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  exidoitsof  thiseventful  year. 
The  city  is  strongly  defended;  75  miles  below  itaie  two  stiong 
forts;  and  below  these  a chain  is  stretched  across  the  river  with 
earth-works  at  each  end;  between  the  forts  and  the  chain 
are  5 rafts  filled  with  inllammable  material,  besides  13  gunboats, 
an  iron-clad  floating  battery,  and  an  iron  ram.  Commodore 
Farragut  cannonades  the  forts  in  vain,  but  saves  his  vessels  from 
the  burifmg  rafts  hy  seizing  and  extinguishing  each  as  it  floats 
down.  At  last  he  decides  to  attcmjd  to  run  liy  the  forts  with 
bis  fleet.  He  accordingly  gets  underway,  and  while  the  forts, 
the  steamers,  and  the  battery  all  jiour  their  fire  u];on  the  fleet, 
it  steams  steadily  up  the  rivcrtill  all  danger  is  ])assed;  the  Union 
. vessel  alone  sinks  or  disables  C Confeder.ate  steamers; 

Farragut  anchors  oiT  the  (luarantine  station  (24  April);  and  takes 
possession  of  New  Orleans  (25). 

Gen.  Butler  enters  New'  Orleans  with  a land-force  .and  pro- 
claims martial  law  (1  May). 

Morgan,  the  Guerrilla  Chief,  captures  the  U.nion  troops  at 
Pulaski,  Tenn.  (2  ^lay). 

Ih'csident  Lincoln  visits  Fortress  IMonroe  (6  May). 

The  Confederates  evacuate  Ikaisacola  and  destroy  the  Na\y- 
yard  (9  May).  Battle  at  Farmington,  Miss.  (9).  (jen.  Hunter 
issues  bis  emancii)ation  proclamation  (9). 

The  iron-clad  steamer  Merrimnc  is  blown  up  b\'  the  Confed- 
ei*.ates  to  prevent  its  capture  by  the  Union  forces  (11  May). 

Natchez,  Miss.,  surrenders  to  Farragut  (12  May). 

The  Confederates  .are  defeated  and  driven  across  the  Chicka- 
hominy,  at  Bottom  Bridge  (17  May). 

'I'he  Seward-Lyons  treaty  between  Great  Britain  and  the  IJ. 
»S.  for  the  sui)pression  of  the  slave-trade  is  ratified  (20  May). 

General  Po])e  is  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Army  of 
Virginia  (20  .Tune).  The  Confederates,  under  Gen.  Bobei  t E. 
Lee,  attack  McClellan’s  right  wing  at  Mechanicsville  (20). 

President  Lincoln  gives  ajjproval  to  an  Act  of  Congresspaant- 
ing  aid  for  the  construction  of  a l ailroad  from  the  Missouri  to 
the  Pacific  Ocean  (1  July);  the  Act  grants  a subsidy  of  $10,000 
in  (Jovernment  bonds  i)er  mile,  for  the  i)ortion  between  the 
IMissouia  and  the  base  of  the  Pocky  INlountains;  $48,000  a mile 
for  a distance  of  150  miles  through  the  Pockies;  $32,000  per 
mile  between!  the  l^ocky  Mountains  and  the  Sierra  Nevada; 
$48,000  per  mile  across  that  range;  and  $32,000  per  mile  for  the 
California  S(adion.  'll le  Act  also  grants  to  the  Co.  a right  of 
way  ^00  feet  iu  width  for  the  whole  distance,  and  a grant  of 


205 


History  of  the  United  Utates. 

1862.  12,800  acres  of  land  on  the  line  of  the  road,  for  each  mile  of 

the  railway  constructed. 

President  Lincoln,  in  response  to  the  official  requests  of  the 
Governors  of  18  States,  calls  for  300,000  volunteers  (lJuly)-  The 
battle  of  Malvern  Hills  closes  a seven  days’  sti'uggle  with  the 
repulse  of  the  Confederates  (1). 

Gen.  Halleck  is  appointed  Commander  of  all  the  land-forces 
of  the  U.  S.  (11  July). 

The  Confederates  capture  Cynthiana,  Ky.  (17).  President 
Lincoln  sanctions  a bill  confiscating  the  property  and  emanci- 
pating the  slaves  of  all  persons  who  shall  continue  in  arms 
against  the  Union  for  GO  days  (17). 

Skirmish  with  slight  loss  to  the  Union  forces  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.  (19). 

Gen.  Halleck  orders  Gen.  McClellan  to  evacuate  the  Peninsula 
of  Virginia  (3  Aug.). 

The  War  Department  issues  an  order  (4  Aug.)  for  a draft  of 
300,000  more  men  for  the  service  of  the  U.  S.,  to  serve  for  nine 
months,  unless  previously  discharged;  it  is  also  directed  that  if 
any  State  shall  not  by  the  15th  of  August  furnish  its  quota  of 
men,  by  volunteers,  the  deficiency  shall  be  made  up  by  a 
special  draft  from  the  militia. 

Gen.  Kobert  McCook  is  murdered  by  Confederates,  while 
wounded  and  riding  in  an  ambulance  (5  Aug.).  Gen.  J.  C. 
Breckenridge  makes  an  unsuccessful  attack  on  Baton  Kouge, 
La.  (5). 

T\iq  Habeas  Ucrpws  Act  is  ordered  to  be  suspended  (8  Aug.). 
Orders  are  also  issued  for  the  arrest  of  all  persons  found  dis- 
couraging enlistments,  proliibiting  the  issuance  of  jiassports, 
and  enjoining  newspaper  correspondents  from  acconqjanying 
the  armies  (8). 

Battle  of  Cedar  Mountain  (9  Aug.). 

The  Confederates  are  defeated  and  th'iven  back  in  their 
attempt  to  cross  the  Ibipidan  (16). 

The  Army  of  tlie  Potomac  evacuates  Hamson  Landing  (16). 

Gen.  Wright  is  placed  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
Ohio  (19). 

The  Confederates  get  possession  of  Manassas  (26). 

The  Federals  are  defeated  at  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
and  retreat  undercover  of  the  night  (30). 

The  terrible  batfle  of  Chantill}'  is  fought  in  the  midst  of  a 
thunder-storm  (1  Sep.);  Gen.  Kearney  is  shot  by  a Confederate 
' soldier  of  whom  he  made  some  enquiry  by  mistake,  Supposing 
liiin  to  be  a Union  soldier;  Gen.  Stevens  is  also  killed.  Gen. 
Burnside’s  army  evacuate  Fredericksburg  (1).  Union  troops 
evacuate  Lexington,  Ky.  (1).  The  Confederates  are  expected 
to  attack  Louisville  (1),  and  there  is  great  excitement  in  Cin- 
cinnati. 

Gen.  Lee,  flashed  with  success,  crosses  the  Potomac  with  his 
army  (5  Sep.),  and  marches  to  Frederick,  the  bands  playing 
“ Maryland,  my  Maryland.”  Gen.  Bragg  enters  Kentucky  on 
his  grand  raid  (5). 

The  Confederates  occupy  Frederick  (6). 

^he ^j^labama  caj4;tires  ilie  vvhaler  Ocinulg^i^ 


'^:.^  T&^.otty 

•|Tp^;  •.'«'tl».Wte*.,«  *.?.  «i‘'>  Itiii;  j*^ 


205 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1862.  12,800  acres  of  land  on  the  line  of  the  road,  for  eacl^j^fofle  of 
the  railway  constructed. 

President  Lincoln,  in  response  to  the  ofRcial  requests  of  the 
Governors  of  18  States,  calls  for  300,000  volunteers  (1  July).  The 
battle  of  Malvern  Hills  closes  a seven  days’  struggle  with  the 
repulse  of  the  Confederates  (1). 

Gen.  Hal  leek  is  appointed  Commander  of  all  the  land-forces 
of  the  U.  S.  (11  July). 

The  Confederates  captm'e  Cynthiana,  Ky.  (17).  President 
Lincoln  sanctions  a bill  contiscating  the  property  and  emanci- 
pating the  slaves  of  all  persons  who  shall  continue  in  arms 
against  the  Union  for  60  days  (17). 

Skirmisii  with  slight  loss  to  the  Union  forces  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.  (19). 

Gen.  Haileck  orders  Gen.  McClellan  to  evacuate  the  Peninsula 
of  Virginia  (3  Aug.). 

The  War  Department  issueFi  an  order  (4  Aug.)  for  a draft  of 
300,000  more  men  for  the  serr/ice  of  the  U.  S.,  to  serve  for  nine 
months,  unless  previously  digeharged;  it  is  also  directed  that  if 
any  State  shall  not  by  the  |5th  of  August  furnish  its  quota  of 
men,  by  volunteers,  the  deficiency  shall  be  made  up  by  a 
special  draft  from  the  militia. 

Gen.  liobert  McCook  is  murdered  by  Confederates,  while 
wounded  and  riding  in  an  ambulance  (5  Aug.).  Gen.  J.  C. 
Breckenridge  makes  an  unsuccessful  attack  on  Baton  Rouge, 
La.  (5). 

The  Habeas  Corpus  Act  is  ordered  to  be  suspended  (8  Aug.). 
Orders  are  also  issued  for  the  arrest  of  all  persons  found  dis- 
couraging enlistments,  prohibiting  the  issuance  of  passports, 
and  enjoining  newspaper  correspondents  from  accompanying 
the  armies  (8). 

Battle  of  Cedar  Mountain  (9  Aug.). 

The  Confederates  are  defeated  and  driven  back  in  their 
attempt  to  cross  the  Rapidan  (16). 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  evacuates  Harrison  Landing  (16). 

Gen.  Wright  is  placed  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
Ohio  (1^. 

The  Confederates  get  possession  of  Manassas  (26). 

The  Federals  are  defeated  at  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
and  retreat  under  cover  of  the  night  (30). 

The  terrible  battle  of  Chantilly  is  fought  in  tlie  midst  of  a 
thunder-storm  (1  Sep.);  Gen.  Kearney  is  shot  by  a Confederate 
soldier  of  whom  he  made  some  enquiry  by  mistake,  suppiosing 
kirn  to  be  a Union  soldier;  Gen.  Stevens  is  also  killed.  Gen. 
Burnside’s  army  evacuate  Fredericksburg  (1).  Union  troops 
fv^^.  aite  Lexington,  Ky.  (1).  The  Confederates  are  expected 
u utack  Louisville  (1),  and  there  is  great  excitement  in  Cin- 
cinnati. 

Gen.  Lee,  flushed  with  success,  crosses  the  Potomac  with  his 
"^my  (5  Sep.),  and  marches  to  Frederick,  the  bands  playing 

Maryland,  my  Maryland.”  Gen.  Bragg  enters  Kentucky  on 
Ms  grand  raid  (5). 

The  Confederates  occupy  Frederick  (6). 

The  Alabama  captures  the  whaler  Ocmulgee  (6k 


206 

1862. 


llistorij  of  Ihc  United  Stales, 

Gen.  Banks  is  assipi;ne(l  to  the  command  of  the  fortircationi^ 
in  and  around  Wasliington  (7).  Gen.  McClellan  takes  ti.e  li(‘ld 
at  the  head  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  (7).  Cumherland  Ga[) 
is  evacuated  by  the  Fedeials  (7). 

The  Confedei-ates  evacuate  Frederick  (9). 

McClellan  enters  Frederick  (12),  and  secures  a coi)y  of  Lee’s 
orders  to  march;  finding  from  the  enemy’s  plans  that  Hari)er’s 
lYn-ry  is  threatened,  he  moves  slowly  after  their  main  i)ody  (12). 

Lee,  at  bay,  takes  a strong  position  behind  Antietam  Ci-cek 
(14);  a desperate  struggle  ensues  at  the  P>ridgc,  and  Ix^tli  foj  < ( s 
are  nearly  destroyed;  reinforcements  com(‘  up,  and  ]lar},(*r’s 
Ferry  surrenders  (l**^);  the  Confederates  att(*mj  t to*  bUa  kade 
the  Ohio  (15);  and  then  re-cross  the  Potomat  icto  Virginia  (18). 

President  Lincoln  issues  his  Emancix)ation  pKjclamation  (22 
Sep.) : “ That  on  the  first  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-three,  all  persons 
held  as  slaves  within  any  State,  the  people  whereof  shall  then 
be  in  rebellion  against  the  United  States,  shall  be  then,  thence- 
forth, and  forever  free  ; and  the  Executive  Government  of  the 
United  States,  including  the  military  and  naval  authoiity 
thereof,  will  recognize  and  maintain  the  freedom  of  such  per- 
sons, and  will  do  no  act  or  acts  to  repress  such  persons,  or  any 
of  them,  in  any  effort  they  may  make  for  their  personal  free- 
dom.” The  President  expounds  the  meaning  of  this  proclama- 
tion in  the  following  Message  to  Congress:  “ In  giving  freedom 
to  the  slave,  we  assure  freedom  to  the  free,  honorable  alike 
in  what  we  give,  and  what  we  preserve.  We  shall  nobly  save, 
or  meanly  lose,  the  last  best  hope  of  earth.  The  way  is  plain, 
peaceful,  glorious,  just — a way  which,  if  followed,  the  world 
will  forever  applaud,  and  God  must  forever  bless.” 

The  slaves  having  been  decided  (Dred  Scott’s  case)  to  be 
property,  could  be  confiscated  by  the  army,  the  same  as  any 
other  property,  as  “contraband  of  war,”  and  had  been  so  de- 
clared by  Gen.  Butler.  After  the  capture  and  confiscation  of 
this  property,  the  question  of  its  disposition  became  an  embar- 
rassing one  to  the  generals  in  the  field,  and  this  proclamation 
made  the  captured  slave  a freedman.  The  proclamation  ap- 
plied only  to  slaves  owned  by  persons  in  rebellion,  captur^ 
and  brought  within  the  federal  lines;  but  its  political  effect  was 
to  commit  the  Republican  party  to  an  emancipation  policy. 

A Convention  of  loyal  Governors  is  held  at  Altoona,  Perm. 
(24  Sep.). 

President  Lincoln  visits  McClellan’s  army  and  urges  an  im- 
mediate movement  across  the  ^otomac  (1  Oct.)]  Geii.  Buell’s 
army  leaves  Louisville  (1). 

The  battle  of  Coalnth  {Z\ 

Di'ufting  taives  place  in  Boston  and  Baltimore  (15). 

Gen.  McClellan  is  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potoimc  (5  Nov.),  and  is  succeeded  by  Gen.  Bm’nside  (5). 

Prcs-kk«it  Lincoln  enjoins  on  the  foi-ces  the  orderly  observ 
aru’c  of  the  Sabbath  (16). 

A general  order  is  issncKl  by  the  Govermneut  for  the  release 
of  all  State  prisoners  (22  Nov.]. 

Gen.  BanIvS’si  saj^lg  for  New  OvleauRi  (6  Dee  V 


20G  History  oj  the  trailed  /States. 

18C2.  Geji.  Banks  is  assigned  to  the  command  of  tlie  fortiflcatlotifl 
in  and  around  Wasliiugton  (7k  Gen.  McClellan  takes  the  field 
at  the  head  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  (7).  Cumberland  Gap 
is  evacuated  by  the  Federals  (7). 

"J'he  Confederates  evacuate  Frederick  (9). 

^IcClellan  enters  Frederick  (12),  and  secures  a copy  of  Lee’s 
orders  to  inarch;  finding  from  the  enemy’s  plans  that  llari>er’g 
Ferry  is  threatened,  he  moves  slowly  after  their  main  body  (12). 

Lee,  at  bay,  takes  a strong  position  behind  Antietarn  Creek 
(14);  a desperate  struggle  ensues  at  the  Bridge,  and  both  forces' 
are  nearly  destroyed;  reinforcements  come  up,  and  Harper’s 
Ferry  surrenders  (15);  the  Confederates  attempt  to  blockade 
the  Ohio  (15);  and  then  re-cross  the  Potomac  into  Virginia  (18)* 

President  Lincoln  issues  his  Emancipation  Proclamation  (22 
Sep.).  The  importance  of  this  event  cannot  be  over-estimated* 
The  war  had  not  been  originally  waged  for  the  emancipation  of 
the  slaves,  but  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  Yet  certain 
Union  Generals — Fremont,  Phelps,  and  Hunter — had,  at  differ- 
ent times  and  places,  undertaken  to  set  slaves  free.  In  such 
instances  the  President  had  either  revoked  their  action  or 
limited  it  to  the  slaves  actually  emjdoyed  against  the  Govern- 
ment. Finding  it,  at  last,  necessary  to  declare  freedom  to 
the  slaves,  the  President  issues  the  following  declaration:' 
‘‘That  on  the  first  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-three,  all  persons  held  as 
slaves  within  any  State,  the  people  w heieof  shall  then  be  in 
rebellion  against  the  United  States,  shall  be  then,  thenceforth, 
and  forever  free;  and  the  Executive  Government  of  the  United 
States,  including  the  military  and  naval  authority  thereof,  will 
recognize  and  maintain  the  freedom  of  such  persons,  and  will 
do  no  act  or  acts  to  repress  such  i)ersons,  or  any  of  them,  in  any 
effort  they  may  make  for  their  iiersonal  freedom.”  That  there 
may  be  no  mistake  on  so  important  a point,  the  President 
expounds  the  meaning  of  this  proclamation  in  the  following 
Message  to  Congress:  “ In  giving  freedom  to  the  slave,  w'e 
assure  freedom  to  the  free,  honorable  alike  in  what  W’e  give, 
and  w hat  we  preserve.  We  shall  nobly  save,  or  meanly  lose, 
the  last  best  hope  of  earth.  The  way  is  plain,  peaceful,  glori- 
ous, just — a w^ay  which,  if  followed,  the  world  will  foreveiy 
api)laud,  and  God  must  forever  bless.” 

A Convention  of  loyal  Governors  is  held  at  Altoona,  Penn. 
(24  Se]).). 

1 ’resident  Lincoln  visits  McClellan’s  army  and  urges  an  im- 
mediate movement  across  the  ’^tomac  (1  Oct.);  Gen.  Buell’s 
army  leaves  Louisville  (1). 

The  battle  of  Corinth  (3). 

Drafting  takes  place  in  Boston  and  Baltimore  (15). 

Gen.  McClellan  is  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  I’otomac  (5  Nov.),  and  is  succeeded  by  Gen.  Burnside  (5). 

J ’resident  Lincoln  enjoins  on  the  forces  the  orderly  observ- 
ance of  the  Sahbath  (10). 

A general  order  is  issued  by  the  Government  for  the  release 
of  all  Stiite  j)risoners  (22  Nov.). 

Gen,  Banks’s  exx>e(lition  sails  for  New"  Orleans  (C  Dee.^. 


History  of  the  United  States.  207 

1862.  Fredericksburg  is  bombarded  by  the  Union  troops  (11  Dec.), 
under  cover  of  which  they  cross  the  Kappahannock. 

Gen.  Banks  supersedes  Gen.  Butler  at  New  Orleans  (14  Dec.). 

The  Sioux  Indians,  becoming  dissatisfied  with  the  payment  of 
money  claimed  by  them,  take  the  war-path  (26  Dec.);  Little 
Crow  and  other  Chiefs  perpetrate  barbarous  outrages  in  Dakota, 
Iowa,  and  Minnesota;  hundreds  of  the  inhabitants  are  butch- 
ered; and  thousands,  driven  from  their  homes,  see  all  tliey 
l>ossess  burned  by  these  remorseless  wretches.  The  savages 
are  finally  routed.  Thirt3'-nine  of  them  are  tried,  condemned 
to  death,  and  hanged  at  Mankato,  Minnesota  (26  Dec.). 

The  year  closes  darkly’ ; in  some  parts  of  the  Southern  States 
especially,  domestic  life  begins  to  feel  the  pitiless  eflfects  of 
civil  strife.  The  money  issued  b}"  the  Confederate  Govern- 
ment has  steadily  depreciated  in  value.  Flour  brings  $40  per 
barrel;  salt  $1  per  lb.;  a pair  of  boots,  $50.  Woolen  clothing  is 
scarce,  and  the  arinj'  depend  largely  on  captures  from  the 
more  ample  Federal  stores.  A spoof  of  thread  came  to  be  worth 
$20,  a pound  of  sugar,  $75,  and  a pound  of  black-pepper,  $300; 
coffee  was  a fabulous  price,  and  ground-beans  became  almost 
equally  costly;  butter,  eggs,  and  white  bread  became  luxmles 
even  for  the  rich. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  A^ear  are  $570,841,700;  the  debt 
is  $514,211,371;  the  iinj^orts  are  $205,771,729;  and  the  exports, 
$213,069,519. 

1863.  President  Lincoln  issues  his  Emancipation  Proclamation  (1  Jan.), 

announced  in  Sep.,  1862.  It  specifies  Arkansas,  Texas,  Loui- 
siana (certain  parishes  excepted),  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Florida, 
Georgia,  S.  Carolina,  N.  Carolina,  and  Virginia  (West  Virginia 
and  other  portions  excepted;  as  the  Kebel lions  States  to  wliich 
the  proclamation  applies.  The  excepted  parts  are  for  the  time 
being  left  preciseU-  as  if  the  proclamation  had  not  been  issued. 
It  continues:  ‘‘Ido  order  and  declare  tliat  all  persons  held  as 
slaves  within  said  States  or  parts  of  States  are  and  henceforth 
shall  be  free,  and  that  the  Executive  Government  of  the  United 
States,  including  the  militaiy  and  naval  autliorities  thereof,  will 
recognize  and  maintain  the  freedom  of  said  persons.  And  I 
here%  enjoin  upon  the  people  so  declared  free,  to  abstain  from 
all  violence,  unless  in  necessary  self-defence;  and  I recommend 
to  them  that  in  all  cases  when  allowed,  they  labor  for  reason- 
able wages.  And  I further  declare  and  make  known  that  such 
persons  of  suitable  condition  will  be  received  into  the  armed 
service  of  the  United  States,  to  garrison  forts,  positions,  stations, 
and  other  places,  and  to  man  vessels  of  all  sorts  in  said  service. 
And  upon  this  act,  sincerely  believed  to  be  an  act  of  justice, 
waiTanted  by  the  Constitution  upon  military  necessit}^  I invoke 
the  considerate  judgment  of  mankind  and  the  favor  of  Almighty 
God.”  The  number  of  slaves  made  free  by  this  proclamation 
is  about  3,120,000.  ^ 

Galveston,  Texas,  is  captured  b5'the  Confederates  under  Gen. 
Magruder  (1  Jan.);  the  gunboat  Harriet  Lane  is  captured,  the 
Westfield  is  blown  up.  Commander  Kenshaw  is  killed,  and  the 
Union  garrison  of  300  are  captured. 


History  of  the  United  States.  207 

1862.  Fredericksburg  is  bombaraed  by  the  Union  troops  (11  Dec.), 
under  cover  of  which  they  cross  the  Kappahannock. 

Gen.  Banks  supersedes  Gen.  Butler  at  New  Orleans  (14  Dec.). 

The  Sioux  Indians,  becoming  dissatisfied  with  tlie  payment  of 
money  claimed  by  them,  take  the  war-path  (26  Dec.);  Little 
Crow  andotlier  Chiefs  perpetrate  barbarous  outrages  in  Dakota, 
Iowa,  and  Minnesota;  hundreds  of  the  inhabitants  are  butch- 
ered; and  thousands,  driven  from  their  homes,  see  all  they 
possess  burned  by  these  remorseless  wretches.  Tlie  savages 
are  finally  routed.  Tliirty-nine  of  them  are  tried,  condemned 
to  death,  and  hanged  at  Mankato,  Minnesota  (26  Dec.). 

The  year  closes  darkly;  in  some  parts  of  the  Southern  States 
especially,  domestic  life  begins  to  feel  tlie  pitiless  effects  of 
civil  strife.  The  money  issued  by  the  Confederate  Govern- 
ment has  steadily  depreciated  in  value.  Flour  brings  $40  per 
barrel;  salt  $1  per  lb.;  a pair  of  boots,  $50.  Woolen  clothing  is 
scarce,  and  the  army  depend  largely  on  captures  from  the 
more  ample  Federal  stores.  A spool  of  thread  came  to  be  worth 
$20,  a pound  of  sugar,  $75,  and  a pound  of  black-pepper,  $300; 
coffee  was-  a fabulous  price,  and  ground-beans  became  almost 
equally  costly;  butter,  eggs,  and  white  bread  became  luxuries 
even  for  the  rich. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $570,841,700;  the  debt 
is  $514,211,371;  the  imports  are  $205,771,729;  and  the  exports, 
$213,069,519. 

1863.  President  Lincoln  issues  his  Emancipation  Proclamation  (1  Jan.), 

announced  in  Sep.,  1862.  It  specifies  Arkansas,  Texas,  Loui- 
siana (certain  parishes  excepted),  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Florida, 
Georgia,  S.  Carolina,  N.  Carolina,  and  Virginia  (West  Virginia 
and  other  portions  excepted)  as  the  Kebellious  States  to  which 
the  proclamation  applies.  The  excepted  parts  are  for  the  time 
being  left  precisely  as  if  the  proclamation  had  not  been  issued. 
It  continues : ‘ ‘ I do  order  and  declare  that  all  persons  held  as 
slaves  within  said  States  or  parts  of  States  are  and  henceforth 
shall  be  free,  and  that  the  Executive  Government  of  the  United 
* States,  including  the  military  and  naval  authorities  thereof,  will 
recognize  and  maintain  the  freedom  of  said  persons.  And  I 
hereby  enjoin  upon  the  people  so  declared  free,  to  abstain  from 
all  violence,  unless  in  necessary  self-defence;  and  I recommend 
to  them  that  in  all  cases  when  allowed,  they  labor  for  reason- 
able wages.  And  I further  declare  and  make  known  that  such 
persons  of  suitable  condition  will  be  received  into  the  armed’ 
• service  of  the  United  States,  to  garrison  forts,  positions,  stations, 
an  1 other  places,  and  to  man  vessels  of  all  sorts  in  said  service. 
And  upon  this  act,  sincerely  believed  to  be  an  act  of  justice, 
warranted  by  the  Constitution  upon  military  necessity,  I invoke 
the  considerate  judgment  of  mankind  and  the  favor  of  Almighty 
God.’’  The  number  of  slaves  made  free  by  this  proclamation 
is  about  3,120,000.  ^ 

Galveston,  Texas,  is  captured  by  the  Confederates  under  Gen. 
Magruder  (1  Jan.);  the  gunboat  Harriet  Lane  is  captured,  the 
We&tfield  is  blown  up,  Comnmnder  Benshaw  is  killed,  and 
U-nien  garrison  of  300  are  captured. 


208 

1863. 


llidory  of  the  United  States. 


The  Confederates  commence  their  reti  (;at  from  rdurfree shorn 
(3  Jan.).  The  Federal  army  witlidraws  from  before  Vicks- 
burg (8). 

A battle  is  fouglit  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  lasting  10  hours  (8 
Jan.);  losses  equal.  Union  forces  from  Yorktovvn,  Va.,  make 
a raid  to  the  Famunky  Kiver,  destroy  the  ferryboat,  a steafiier, 
and  the  railroad  depot,  and  return  witliout  loss  (8J. 

Gen.  Ihirnside  is  relieved  of  the  command  oi  the  Army  of 
the  i^otomac  (28  Jan.),  and  Gen.  Hooker  is  appointed  in  his 
place.  Gen.  Sumner  and  Gen.  Franklin  are  also  relieved 
from  duty  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  (28).  A steamer  and 
300  Confederates  are  captured  near  Van  Bunm,  Mo.  (28). 

The  Charleston  blockading  fleet  is  attacked  from  the  harbor 
by  three  iron-clad  steamers,  and  the  Mercedita  is  sunk  (81). 

The  Fedei-al  ram  Queeen  of  the  West  runs  the  blockade  at 
Vicksburg  (2  Feb.).  Tlie  negro  brigade  take  Jacksonville,  Fla. 
(2).  Mai. -Gen.  Burnside  is  appointed  to  command  tlie  Depart- 
jMent  of  the  Ohio  (2). 

Mortar  boats  open  Are  upon  Vicksburg  (18  Feb.).  A disloyal 
State  Convention  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  is  dispersed  by  the 
military  (18). 

President  Lincoln  sanctions  (8  March)  a Financial  Bill  which 
has  passed  Congress,  the  first  section  of  which  authorizes 
a loan  of  $800,000,000  for  the  current  flscal  year,  for  which 
bonds  are  to  be  issued,  payable  at  such  times  as  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  may  elect,  at  not  less  than  10  and  not  more 
than  40  years.  A further  clause  yirovides  for  the  issue  of 
Treasury  Notes  to  the  amount  of  $400,000,000,  to  run  not  more 
than  three  years,  to  bear  interest  at  six  per  cent.,  and  to  be  legal 
tender.  Fractional  currency  is  to  be  issued  to  the  amount  of 
$50,000,000. 

The  exigencies  of  the  war  render  the  passing  of  the  ‘‘Conscrip- 
tion Act”a  necessity  (12  March).  By  this  Act,  all  able-bodied  male 
Citizens,  and  all  persons  of  foreign  birth  who  have  declared  their 
intention  of  becoming  citizens,  and  who  have  voted,  between 
the  ages  of  20  and  45,  are  made  liable  to  be  called  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  country,  unless  specially  excepted.  The  excei4:ions 
include  the  physically  or  mentally  incapable  ; the  only  eon  of 
a widow,  or  of  infirm  parents  requiring  their  son’s  labor  fo 
actual  support;  the  only  brother  of  children  without  fatiier  or 
mother,  under  twelve,  dependent  on  him  for  support;  and  the 
father  of  motherless  children  under  twelve  dependent  on  him 
for  support.  The  conscripts  are  divided  into  two  classes: 
First,  all  below  85  years  of  age,  and  all  unmarried  t^’soks 
between  35  and  45;  second,  married  persons  bejtweeii  85  and 
45.  The  second  class  are  not  to  be  called  into  the  seryice  till 
the  first  class  are  exhausted.  It  is  estimated  that,  aftea*  allow- 
ing for  all  exceptions,  the  President  has  4,000,000  men  he 
may  call  ui)on  for  service.  I'he  Act  also  pi  ovides  that  any  per- 
gor  drafted  may  be  discharged  by  i)ay merit  of  a sum,  not  ex- 
ceeding $800,  to  bo  fixed  by  the  Secrehiry  of  War. 

Admiral  Farragut,  with  seven  of  his  fleet,  passe  rort  Hud- 
BOK  (14  March)  after  a fierce  engagement,  in  w’  ’be  Missis 
Is  di!«nl‘lerl  find  then  hwnied  by  the  Admiia 


208  History  of  the  United  States, 

1863.  The  Confederates  commence  tlieir  retreat  from  Murfreesboro 
(3  Jan.).  Tlie  Federal  army  Avithdraws  from  before  Vicks- 
burg  (3). 

A battle  is  fought  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  lasting  10  hours  (8 
Jan.):  losses  equal.  Union  forces  from  Yorktown,  Va.,  make 
a rai(l  to  the  l^nnunky  Kiver,  destroy  tlie  ferryboat,  a steamer, 
and  the  railroad  depot,  and  return  ^vitl)Out  loss  (S'). 

Gen.  llurnside  is  ndieved  of  tlie  command  of  the  Army  of 
the  j’otomac  (28  Jan.),  and  Gen.  Hooker  is  aj)pointed  in*  his 
place.  Gen.  Sumner  and  Gen.  Franklin  are  also  reliev(*d 
from  duty  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  (28).  A steamer  and 
300  Confederates  are  captured  near  Van  Buren,  Mo.  (28). 

The  Charleston  blockading  fleet  is  attacked  from  tlie  harbor 
by  three  iron-clad  steamers,  and  the  Mercedita  is  sunk  (31). 

The  Fedei  al  ram  Que^n  of  the  West  runs  the  blockade  at 
Vicksburg  (2  Feb.).  The  negro  brigade  take  Jacksonville,  Fla. 
(2).  Map-Gen.  Burnside  is  appointed  to  command  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Ohio  (2). 

Mortar  boats  open  fire  upon  Vicksburg  (18  Feb.).  * A disloyal 
State  Convention  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  is  dispersed  by  the 
military  (18). 

President  Lincoln  sanctions  (3  March)  a Financial  Bill  which 
has  passed  Congress,  the  first  section  of  which  authorizes 
a loan  of  $300,000,000  for  the  current  fiscal  year,  for  which 
bonds  aie  to  be  issued,  payable  at  such  times  as  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  may  elect,  at  not  less  than  10  and  not  more 
than  40  j^ears.  A further  clause  lawides  for  the  issue  of 
Treasury  Notes  to  the  amount  of  $400,000,000,  to  run  not  more 
than  three  years,  to  bear  interest  at  six  j)er  cent.,and  to  be  legal 
tender.  Fractional  currcJicy  is  to  be  issued  to  the  amount  of 
$50,000,000. 

The  exigencies  of  the  war  render  the  passing  of  the  “Conscrip- 
tion Act”{rnecessity  (12  March).  By  this  Act,  all  able-bodied  male 
citizens,  and  all  i)ersons  of  foreign  birth  who  have  declared  their 
intention  of  becoming  citizens,  and  who  have  voted,  between 
the  ages  of  20  and  45,  are  made  liable  to  be  called  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  country,  unless  specially  excei>ted.  Tlie  exceptions 
include  the  ] physically  or  mentally  incapable;  the  only  son  of 
a widow,  or  of  intirm  parents  requiring  their  son’s  labor  fo” 
actual  su])])ort;  the  only  brother  of  children  witliout  fatluT  or 
mother,  under  twelve,  dependent  on  him  foi*  support;  and  tlie 
father  of  motherless  children  under  twelve  deiiendent  on  liim 
for  sujpport.  The  conscrijits  are  divided  into  two  classes: 
First,  all  below  35  years  of  age,  and  all  unmarried  persons 
between  35  and  45;  second,  married  persons  between  85  and 
45.  1'he  second  class  are  not  to  be  called  into  the  service  till 
the  first  class  are  exhausted.  It  is  estimated  (hat,  after  allow- 
ing for  all  excejitions,  the  President  has  4,000,000  men  lie 
may  call  uiion  for  service.  '^Phe  Act  also  jirovides  that  unj'^  per- 
son drafti^d  may  lie  discharged  by  payment  of  a sum,  not  ex- 
ceeding $300,  to  be  fixed  by  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Admiral  Farragut,  with  seven  of  his  fie(*t,  jiasses  Port  Hud- 
son (14  March)  afl(‘r  a tierce  engagement,  in  which  the  Missis- 
iijpjn  is  disabled,  and  then  burned  by  the  Admiral’s  orders. 


1’HK  CoXSTI'J'rTIOX  AXD  ("rRRTERE, 


The  1\Ioxitor  axd  the  IMerrimac, 

Two  Famous  Naval  Engagements. 


209 


History  of  the  United  States, 

The  Federal  soldiers  burn  down  the  ofilce  of  the  Jeffersonian 
newspaper,  at  Richmond,  Ind.  (15  March). 

Quantrell,  the  Guerrilla  chief,  attacks  the  Federals  at  Blue 
Springs,  and  wins  a slight  victory  (22  March). 

Apaity  of  blockade-runners  are  captured  at  Poplar  Creek, 
Ind.  (29  March). 

Admiral  Farragut,  with  the  Hartford,  Smtzerland  and  Alha^ 
tross,  engages  and  passes  the  grand  Gulf  batteries  (1  Ai)i*il);  lie 
pursues  liis  course  (2  April)  as  far  as  Rea  River,  destroying 
Confederate  gunboats. 

At  Richmond,  Va.,  exasperated  women  create  a bread  riot 
(2  Ai)ril). 

At  tlie  battle  of  Bay  Teche,  La.  (14  April),  the  Confederates 
are  defeated,  and  three  of  their  gunboats,  the  Hiona,  Hart,  and 
Qaeea  of  tJie  West,  are  destroyed.  Tin)  Union  loss  is  350  men; 
the  Confederate  loss  is  not  estimated.  Gen.  Foster  escapes  from 
Washington,  N.  C.,  by  running  the  Confederate  blockade  in 
the  steamer  Escort  (14). 

Indians  give  trouble,  and  a great  battle  with  them  is  fought 
at  Medalia,  Minn.  (IG). 

Porter’s  fleet  of  8 gunboats  and  several  transports  runs  past 
the  batteries  at  Vicksb^urg  (16). 

The  Confederates  make  a raid  on  Tompkinsville,  Ky.  (22 
April),  and  the  Court-house  is  burned.  In  Cedar  Co.,  Mo.,  the 
Guerrillas  under  Quantrell  seize  7 Federal  cavalrymen,  and 
after  shameless  treatment,  kill  them  (22).  The  Union  troo|)S 
rout  the  Confederates  at  Strasburg,  Va.,  with  a loss  of  40 
men  (22). 

Gen.  Grant’s  army  lands  near  Port  Gibson,  Miss.  (30  April); 
defeats  the  Confederates  (1  May),  taking  500  iirisoners;  and  he 
begins  his  march  to  Vicksburg. 

At  Monticello,  Ky.,  Gen.  Carter,  with  5000  men,  attacks  the 
Confederates  under  Pegram,  and  drives  them  from  the  field  with 
great  slaughter  (1  May). 

The  6th  and  7th  Illinois  Cavalry,  known  as  “Grierson’s  Raid- 
ers,” reach  Baton  Rouge,  La.  (2  May),  having  covered  nearly 
800  miles  in  16  days,  d’liey  had  set  out  on  the  morning  of  17th 
A))ril,  900  strong,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Garrison,  had 
marched  through  the  center  of  Mississippi,  destroying  as  they 
went  railroads,  bridges,  and  stores  of  all  kinds  belonging  to 
the  Confederates.  At  many  points  in  their  adventurous  march 
the  enemy  liad  made  great  attempts  to  capture  them,  but  had 
failed.  They  bring  into  Baton  Rouge  over  1000  horses  and 
many  head  of  cattle;  and  are  followed  by  a band  of  500 
jubilant  negroes. 

The  battle  of  Chancellorsville  takes  place  between  the  armies 
of  Hooker  and  Lee  (2  May);  after  a very  fierce  battle,  in  which 
the  illustrious  “Stonewall”  Jackson  is  wounded,  by  mistake, 
by  his  own  men,  the  Federals  are  checked. 

“Stonewall”  Jackson  dies  at  Richmond,  Vi.  ptO  May),  of 
wounds  and  pneumonia,  aged  39. 

The  ship  West  F:o  ida  is  run  ashore  o^n  Galveston  Island  by 
the  Owasco  and  Kahtadin  (10).  YudUjO  UHy,  Miss.,  is  captured 


310  History  of  the  United  ^UUe»s 

1868.  by  gunboats  (13);  the  Confederates  flee,  and  property  to  the 
value  $2,000,000  is  destroyed. 

A battle  between  the  Indians  and  Guerrillas  is  fought  at 
Pontachula,  and  the  Indian  camp  is  utterly  destroyed  (13). 

At  the  battle  of  Champion  Hill,  Miss.,  Grant  drives  the  forces 
under  Pembeiton  as  far  as  the  BigBhuk  Pive.r  (10);  and  tie* 
Federals,  under  Grant  and  Porter,  invest  Vii  ksbing  (18);  the} 
assault  Vicksbui*g  (22),  and  are-  repulsed  aftei  a very  heav\ 
fight. 

The  Confederates  are  defeated  at  Senatobia,  Miss.  (25). 

The  gunboat  Alert  is  accidentally  burned  at  Norfolk,  Va.(31;. 

Gen.  Hunter  is  removed  from  the  command  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  South  (1  June),  and  is  succeeded  by  Gen.  GihiKjre. 

Gen.  Burnside  lays  an  embargo  on  the  press,  and  prohibits 
the  circulation  in  the  Department  of  Ohio  of  the  N.  Y.  World 
and  the  Chicago  Times  (2  June). 

Three  throusand  Confederate  prisoners  anive  at  Indian- 
apolis (2). 

President  Lincoln  revokes  the  orders  of  Gen.  Burnside  con- 
cerning the  N Y.  World  and  the  Chicago  Times  (4). 

A large  meeting  of  editois  is  held  in  New  York,  concerning 
the  censorship  of  the  press  (9). 

Lee  marches  into  Maryland  (15  June);  great  excitement  i)re- 
vails,  and  President  Lincohi  calls  for  100,000  men  to  repel  tlie 
invasion.  Lee  advances  as  far  north  as  Chambersbui-g  (16); 
and  Gen.  Milroy  makes  another  unsuccessful  attack  on  Harper’s 
Ferry  (16). 

Federal  cavalry  under  Col.  Kilpatrick  encounter  Gen.  Fitz- 
hugh  Lee’s  cavalry  brigade  near  Aldie,  Va.  (17). 

Kear-Admiral  Foote  dies  in  New  York  City  (26  June). 

General  Hooker,  at  his  own  request,  is  relieved  frc  me 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  (29  June),  and  is  suc- 
ceeded by  Gen.  Meade.  Gen.  Kosecrans  drives  Gen.  Bragg 
from  Tullahoma  (29). 

The  terrible  battle  of  Gettysburg  begins  (1  July);  Gen.  Geo. 
G.  Meade  commands  the  Union  forces,  with  an  army  of  80,000; 
Gen.  Lee  commands  the  Confederates,  with  an  army  equally 
great.  This  battle  may  be  regarded  as  the  turning-point  of  the 
war;  Lee  had  resolved  to  invade  the  North;  he  staked  evei  y- 
thing  on  this  battle;  his  plans  seemed  to  be  perfect ; and  the 
valor  of  his  men  has  not  often  been  equalled  in  the  annals  of 
war.  The  magnificent  charge  of  the  Confederates  is  repulsed 
by  the  Federals;  and  after  a loss  of  something  like  20,000  men 
on  each  side,  Lee  retreats  (3),  and  there  is  an  end  forever  to  any 
klea  of  invading  the  North. 

Gen.  Grant  negotiates  with  Gen.  Pemberton  for  the  surrender 
of  Vicksburg,  which  up  to  this  time  has  rendered  the  Missfe- 
sippi  impassable  for  vessels,  and  is  regarded  as  the  most  impor- 
tant fortified  place  in  the  South-west,  being  on  a high  bluff, 
tlioioughly  defended  by  batteries  in  all  directions;  Grant  de- 
mands its  uiicoiiditional  surrender  (3). 

The  celebration  of  Iiide4)ondence  day  is  crowned  by  the  cofl- 
quest  of  Getty sbuig,  and  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  (4  July) 


History  of  the  United  States.  211 

18^  with  th^  forces  under  Pemberton’s  command.  Gen.  Lee  retreats 
toward  the  Potomac. 

The  terrible  Draft  Riot«  of  New  York  break  out  (13  July), 
YTie  danse  in  the  Draft  Act  which  allowed  a person  drafted  to 
piardKise  exemption  for  so  small  a sura  as  |800  found  little 
favor  with  the  people  at  large,  and  the  laboring  classes  especial- 
ly felt  that  this  was  a law  for  the  rich  against  the  poor.  While 
a draft  is  in  ])rogress  in  the  Ninth  District,  New  York,  a district 
largely  inhabited  by  working-people,  an  armed  mob  attacks  the 
Drafting  Office,  evidently  in  accordance  with  a well-laid  and 
well-organized  plan.  The  news  of  the  attack  spreads  thi-ough 
city  like  wild-fire,  and  excited  mobs  assemble  at  every  street 
corner.  The  fact  that  the  militia  regiments  had  been  sent  to 
Pennsylvania  to  withstand  a Confederate  invasion  had  been 
taken  advantage  of  by  the  rioters;  and  the  police  were  wholly 
insufficient  to  defend  the  city,  3\ffiich  was  practically  at  the 
mercy  of  the  mob.  The  first  point  of  attack  is  the  Drafting 
Office;  tlie  drafting- wheel  is  broken  to  pieces,  the  lists  are  scat- 
tered, and  the  building  is  burned.  The  mob  then  assail  the 
negroes;  and  with  cries’  of  “Down  with  the  Abolitionists  I 
Down  with  the  nigger  I Hurrah  for  Jeff  Davis  I ” the  negroes 
are  hunted  down,  bruised,  hung  to  lamp-posts,  and  many,  after 
being  fearfully  mutilated,  are  brutally  killed;  men, women,  and 
children  share  a common  fate.  An  asylum  for  colored  children 
is  sacked  and  burned,  the  terrified  orphans  fleeing  for  refuge  to 
whatever  shelter  they  could  find.  Gangs  of  desperadoes  patrol 
the  streets,  levying  contributions  on  passers-by,  and  ordering 
men  of  busiiiessto  close  their  stores.  This  dreadful  reign  of 
terror  is  at  last  jmt  to  an  end,  but  not  till  hundreds  of  lives  liave 
been  lost  and  millions  worth  of  property  has  been  destroyed. 
The  draft  is  resumed. 

President  Lincoln,  urged  by  reports  of  the  brutal  treatment 
to  which  tlie  Federal  soldiers  are  subjected  by  the  Confederates, 
issues  an  order  for  retaliation  (30  July).  Kentucky  is  again 
invaded  (30).  Kit  Carson,  with  a jvart  of  the  New  Mexico 
regiment,  defeats  the  Navajoe  in  a severe  fight  beyond  Fold 
Canby  (30). 

Hostile  Indians  are  defeated  in  Minnesota  by  Gen.  Sibley 
(6  Aug.). 

President  Lincoln  rejects  the  demand  for  the  suppression  of 
the  conscription  in  New  York  State  (7  Aug.). 

Quantrell,  the  Guerrilla  chief,  with  300  followers,  surprises 
the  town  of  Lawrence,  Kan.,  in  the  middle  of  the  night  (20). 
The  town  is  set  on  fire,  182  buildings  are  burned  to  the  ground, 
$2,000,000  woiHi  of  property  is  destroyed;  191  persons  are 
killed  and  581  wounded.  Quantrell  lost  a^bout  80  of  his  blood- 
thirsty associates. 

PresideiF  Lincoln  suspends  the  Hahem  Corpus  Act  (15  Sep.). 

The  Department  of  the  Cumberland  and  the  Missl^ippi  are 
consolidated  under  Gen.  Grant  (20  Oct.).  Gen.  Rosecrans  is 
succeeded  by  Gen.  Thompson  (20). 

Union  prisoners  in  a state  of  starvation  arrive  at  Annapolis 
from  Richmond  (29  Ott.);  others  had  died  on  the  journey* 

Tlie  first  Fenian  Coiivention  is  hehl  In  Chicago  (7  Nov  X 


21 2 IRstory  of  the  United  States. 

1803.  General  Sherman’s  corps  forms  a junction  witli  Gen.  Tliomas 
at  Cliattanooga  (16  Nov.). 

The  storming  and  capture  of  “ Lookout  Mountain  ” (24  Nov.); 
Hooker’s  celebrated  “ fight  above  the  clouds;  ” Gen.  Hragg  is 
defeated  (24  Nov.). 

Gen.  Longstreet  commences  the  siege  of  Knoxville  (4  Dec.). 

Jellerson  Davis  issues  his  annual  message  (7  Dec.).  U.  S. 
Congress  re-a.sserables  (7). 

Longstreet’s  soldioi-s  begin  to  desert  at  the  rate  of  from  20 
to  50  per  day  (23  Dec.). 

Tlie  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  ^f)5, 790, 030;  the  debt 
is  11,098,703,181;  the  imports  are  ^252,910,920;  and  the  exports, 
$5305,884,998. 

1864.  A great  meeting  is  held  nt  Cooper  Institute,  New  York,  to 
celebrate  tlie  First  Anniversary  of  Fre-edom  (1  Jan.). 

Gen.  Mai'ston  makes  an  extensive  raid  in  Virginia,  and  cap- 
tures large  quantities  of  stores  (12  Jan.). 

Scout  reports  are  forwarded  to  the  efTc(t  that  3000  Confeder- 
ates at  Port  Pelee,  Canada,  are  ready  for  a dash  on  Johnson’s 
Island  (17  Jan.). 

An  attempt  is  made  to  bwrn  down  the  house  of  JefT.  Davis  in 
Richmond  (19  Jan.). 

President  Lincoln  orders  a draft  for  500,000  men  (1  Feb.). 

A large  numl)er  of  priisoners,  including  Col.  Streight,  escape 
from  Libby  Prison,  Richmond  (9  Feb.).'  One  thousand  and 
twenty-five  bales  of  cotton,  worth  $700,000,  are  burned  at  Wil- 
rhington  (9).  The  Confederates  flee  fioni  Jacksonville,  after 
burning  a^eamboat  and  270  bales  of  cotton  (9). 

Gen.  W.  T.  Slierman,  with  his  tieo|  s,  leaves  Vicksburg  (3 
Feb.),  and  arrives  at  Meridian,  Miss.,  on  his  great  raid  into*  tlie 
heart  of  the  enemy’s  country  (15  Feb.);  he  destroys  the  railw  ay 
com  mu  ideations  of  the  enemy  and  much  stores. 

The  Confederate  Government  salt-wo-iks  at  St.  Mark’s.  Fla., 
are  desti’oyed  by  gunboats  (1  Marcb).  Gen.  Thomas,  reinfoi-ced, 
marches  against  Dalton  (1  . 

Gen.  Grant  is  aiipointed  to  the  command  of  all  the  armies  (9 
March),  under  the  title  of  Lieut. -General.  He  plans  two  siwiiil- 
taneous  movements:  one  against  Richmond,  Va.,  by  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Meade:  the  other 
against  Atlanta,  Ga.,  under  the  direction  of  Gen.  W.  T.  Sher- 
man, w^ho  undertakes  to  march  an  army  across  the  interior  of 
the  rebellious  States,  from  the  mountains  to  theeea. 

Idle  Governors  of  Ohio,  Illinois,  low^a,  Wisconsin,  and  Indi- 
an-a  offer  to  raise  for  the  General  Government  85, OW  men  for 
a hundred  days  (23  April);  the  Government  accepts  the  offer 
(26  April),  and  appropriates  $20,000,000  for  payment  of  the 
men. 

Grant’s  army  moves  across  tlie  Rapidan,  toward  Chancellors- 
ville  and  tlie  Wilderness  (3  May). 

’Phe  Bill  for  Reconstruction  is  passed  (4  May). 

A draft  is  ordered  in  Massachusetts,  New  Jersey.  Ohio, 
Minnesota,  Kentucky,  and  Maryland  (5  May). 

Lee  makes  a series  of  unsuccessful  attacks  upon  the  Federal 
forces  In  the  Wilderness  (5,  6,  7.  8, 10. 11, 12  May);  during  the 


213 


W.stot'y  of  th€  United  Stales. 

1864.  fifit  two  days,  in  the  bloody  fray  that  lasted  from  ihr:  cawn  of 
lb«  5th  to  sunset  of  the  6th,  15,000  men  on  enrih  fhdo  are 
skiughtered. 

Alter  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House  (9-12  May), 
^ant  telegrafphs  to  Lincoln  that  he  proposes  “ to  fight  it  out  on 
this  line,  ii  it  takes  all  summer.’^ 

Sherman  moves  from  Chattanooga,  Tenn.  (8  May),  on  his 
advance  to  Atlanta. 

Nathaniel  Hawthorne  dies  (16  May),  aged  60. 

The  S.  Carolina  Union  Convention  meets  at  Beaufort  (17 
May). 

Ewell’s  attack  on  the  Union  baggage  train  in  rear  of  Grant 
right  flank  is  repulsed  (18  May). 

Battle  near  Dallas;  Hooker  drives  the  Confederates  two  miles; 
losses,  1500  men  on  each  side  (25).  Grant  crosses  the  Pamun- 
key,  occupies  Hanovertown  (27),  and  reaches  Mechanics- 
ville  (30).  . 

Grant’s  and  Lee’s  armies  confront  each  other  from  Hanover 
Court  House  to  Cold  Harbor  (31). 

A Confederate  attack  on  Hancock’s  forces  is  repulsed  (5  June). 

Marmaduke,  with  3000  men,  is  defeated  at  Columbia,  Ar- 
kansas (5). 

At  the  battle  of  Piedmont,  Ya.,  the  Confederates  lose  1500 
prisoners,  3 guns,  3000  stand  of  arms,  and  a great  number  of 
killed  and  wounded  (5), 

The  Philadelphia  Sanitary  Fair  opens  (7  June). 

Lincoln  is  re-nominated  for  President,  and  Andrew  Johnson 
for  Vice-President  (8  June). 

Gen.  Hancock  drives  the  Confederates  from  Bottom  Bridge 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  (12  June). 

The  Fugitive-Slave  Law  k repealed  m the  House  of  Bepre* 
sentatives  (13  June). 

Gi’ant’s  army  cro^s  the  James  Kiver  (14  June). 

Gen.  Leonidas  Polk  k killed  at  Pine  Mountain,  Ga  (14); 
Sherman  advances  toward  Kenesaw  (14). 

Confederate  privateers  have  been  for  some  time  very  destruc- 
tive to  American  merchant  vessels;  the  Shenandoah  has  des- 
troyed 34  whale-ships  in  the  Arctic  Seas,  and  the  Alabama  has 
taken  65  vessels.  The  Alabama  is  attacked  (19  June)  by  the  U. 
S.  S.  Kearmrge,  Captain  Winslow,  off  Cherbourg,  France, 
During  the  action,  the  two  vessels  steam  at  the  rate  of  7 miles 
an  hour,  and  swing  round  one  another  in  circles  so  as  to  bring 
their  broadsides  to  bear.  After  describing  7 of  these  circles, 
and  coming  within  a quarter  of  a mile  of  each  other,  the  Ala- 
hcma  is  sank.  Captain  Semmes  and  his  men  being  picked  up  by 
an  Englkh  yacht. 

Secretary  Chase  resigns  (30  June),  and  Hon.  William  Fessen- 
den is  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

The  Confederates,  under  Early,  invade  Maryland  (5  July). 

The  Confederates  take  5000  cattle  and  1000  horses  from 
Montgomery  Co.,  and  drive  them  into  Virginia  (15  July). 

Sherman’s  %rmy  crosses  the  Chattahoochee  (16  July)  in  pui’- 
9uit  of  Johnston.  Johnston  is  superseded  by  General  John  & 
Hood  (18). 


214  History^  the  Urdted  States. 

1864.  Hood  makes  a desperate  but  unsuccessful  attack  cm  Sherman  a 
lines  round  Atlanta,  losing  not  less  tlian  20,000  killed,  woundod^ 
and  prisoners  (22  July) ; Gen.  McPherson  is  killed  by  a Con- 
federate at  this  battle.  The  Louisiana  State  Convention  adopU 
the  new  Constitution  abolishing  slavery  (22). 

A mine  containing  six  tons  of  powder,  under  a Confederate 
fort  at  Petersburg,  explodes,  destroying  the  fort  and  garrison 
(80  July).  Chanibersburg,  Pa.,  is  burnt  by  tiie  Confed(;rat/^s  (30). 

Admiral  FarraguPs  fleet  passes  Foi  ts  Morgan  and  Gaines  (5 
Aug.);  the  Confederate  ram  Tennessee  is  captured,  and  several 
other  vessels  are  destroyed;  and  Fort  Gaines  surrenders, -and 
Fort  Powell  is  evacuated  (5). 

Battle  of  Sulphur  Springs  Bridge  (11  Aug,). 

Gen.  Grant  seizes  the  W eldon  Kailroad  (18  Aug.). 

Fort  Morgan  surrenders  (23  Aug.). 

McClellan  is  nominated  for  President  by  the  National  Demo- 
cratic Convention  at  Chicago,  and  Geo.  11.  Pendleton  for  Vice- 
President  (29  Aug.). 

Federal  troops  take  possession  of  Atlanta  (2  Sep.). 

Milroy  attacks  3000  Confederate  cavahy  near  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  and  drives  them  towards  Tiiune  (3  Sep.).  Sheridan’s 
army  moves  forward  from  Charleston  (8). 

The  Confederate  General  John  Morgan  is  killed  near  Green- 
ville, Tenn.  (7  Sep.). 

Sherman’s  army  is  concentrated  at  Atlanta  (9  Sep.). 

- Grant  drives  picket  lines  across  Plank  Koad,  and  advances 
his  permanent  line  half  a mile  (10). 

At  the  battle  of  Winchester,  Sheridan  captures  5000  prison- 
ers, all  the  wounded,  and  5 guns  (19 Sep.).  The  steamer  Island 
Queen  is  captured  and  sunk  on  Lake  Erie  (19). 

Forrest  captures  Athens,  Ala.,  and  forces  500  Union  soldiers 
to  surrender  (20). 

Gen.  Grant  advances  his  lines  on  the  north  side  of  the  James 
River  to  within  7 miles  of  Richmond  (28  Sep.). 

The  Confederates  under  Gen.  Sterling  Price  invade  Mis- 
souri (28). 

At  the  battle  of  Strasbourg,  Longstreet  and  Sheridan  fight 
for  three  hours  with  no  advantage  on  either  side  (12  Oct.). 

Sheridan  defeat^  the  Confederates  at  Cedar  Creek  (19). 

The  town  of  St.  Albans,  Vt.,  about  15  miles  from  the  Cana- 
dian frontier,  is  raided  by  armed  Confederates  (19  Oct.);  they 
overpower  the  employes  of  three  banks,,  fire  on  and  kill  several 
persons,  steal  $200,000  in  money,  and,  taking  all  the  horses 
they  can  find  in  the  streets  or  livery  stables,  escape  to  Ca.  ada, 
where  13  of  them  are  arrested  (21). 

Detroit  is  alarmed  (80  Oct.)  by  reports  that  a raid  is  to  be 
made  on  the  city  during  the  night;  the  soldiers  are  called  out, 
and  depots  and  public  buildings  are  guarded,  but  no  raid  takes 
X)lace. 

Union  troops  recapture  Plymouth  (31  Oct.). 

The  Presidential  election  takes  j)lace  (8  Nov.);  the  Republican 
candidates,  Abraham  Lincoln,  President,  and  Andrew  John- 
son, Vice-President,  are  elected,  receiving  the  electoral  votes  of 
1^2  States.  218  in  alL  The  Democratic  I’arty  had  nominated 


216 


History  of  tfie  United  States. 

1864.  Gen.  George  B.  McClellan  for  President,  and  Geo.  H.  Pendleto-n 
for  Vice-President.  They  secured  only  the  votes  of  New  Jersef". 
Delaware,  and  Kentucky,  21  in  all.  McClellan  resigns  his  com- 
mand in  the  army  (8). 

General  Sherman  begins  (16  Nov.)  his  great  march  from 
Atlanta  to  the  sea,  the  army  of  60^000  advancing  in  two 
columns  under  Generals  Howard  and  Slocum,  and  largely  sub- 
sisting on  what  could  be  found  in  the  fertile  country  through 
which  it  passed. 

Battle  of  Pulaski  (21  Nov.).  The  Confederates  are  defeated 
at  Liberty,  La.,  losing  3 guns  and  800  prisoners  (21). 

At  the  battle  of  Franklin  (30  Nov.),  Hood  is  repulsed  with  a 
loss  of  5000  men,  guns,  flags,  and  1000  prisoners;  the  Union 
loss  is  1500. 

The  blockade  of  Norfolk,  Fernandina,  and  Pensacola  ceases 
(1  Dec.).  Gen.  Banks  resumes  the  command  of  the  Gulf 
Department  (1). 

The  second  session  of  the  38th  Congress  meets  (5  Dec.). 

live  hundred  Indians  are  killed  near  Fort  Lyon,  by  Col. 
Chivington’s  force  (9  Dec.). 

Gen.  Thomas  defeats  the  Confederates  under  Gen.  Hood 
near  Nashville,  Tenn.  (14-16  Dec.). 

Sherman  storms  Fort  McAllister  (13  Dec.),  and  enters  Savan- 
nah (21). 

General  Butler  ani  Admiral  Porter  are  repulsed  in  an  attack 
on  Wilmington  (24-25  Dec.). 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year,  including  payments  on 
loans,  are  |1,298,144,656;  the  debt  is  $1,740,690,489;  the  im- 
ports are  $329,562,895;  and  the  exports,  $320,035,199. 

1865.  The  bulkhead  of  the  Dutch  Gap  Canal  explodes  (1  Jan.).  The 

U.  S.  sloop-of-war  Srtn  Jacinto  is  lost  off  the  coast  ©f  Florida  (1). 

Massaclmsetts  ratifies  the  Constitutional  Amendment  (3  Jan.), 

Gen.  Grierson  arrives  at  Vicksburg  (5  Jan.),  having  destroyed 
on  his  raid  70  miles  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  30 
miles  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad,  and  having  captured 
600  prisoners  and  1000  contrabands.  ^ 

Gen.  Sherman  resumes  his  great  march  northward  (6  June). 
Writing  of  this  mai*ch,  he  says:  ‘‘  Christmas  found  us  at  Sav- 
annah. Waiting  there  only  long  enough  to  fill  our  wagons, 
we  began  another  march,  which  for  peril,  labor,  and  results, 
will  compare  with  any  ever  mad©  by  an  organized  army.  The 
floods  of  the  Savannah,  the  swamps  of  the  Combahee  and  the 
Edisto,  the  high  hills  and  rocks  of  the  Santee,  the  flat  quag- 
mires of  the  Pedee  and  Cape  Fear  Rivers,  were  all  passed  m 
mid-wmter,  with  its  floods  and  rain,  in  the  face  of  an  accumu- 
lating enemy;  and  after  the  battles  of  Averysborough  and 
Bentonsville,  we  once  more  came  out  of  the  wilderness  to  meet 
our  friends  at  Goldsboro. ’’ 

Fort  Fisher  is  taken  (15  Jan.). 

Edward  Everett  dies  (15  Jan.),  aged  71. 

The  monitor  Patapsco  is  sunk  off  Charleston  (17  Jan.), 

A meeting  is  field  at  Savannah  to  thank  New  York  and  Bos, 
^11  for  their  generous  supplies  of  food  and  dothing  (25  v^an^X 


llislory  of  iht  United  States* 

A debate  is  held  in  the  Confederate  Congress  concerning  the 
enlistment  of  negroes  (26  Jan.). 

Confederate  incendiaiies  set  lire  to  Savannah  (27  Jan.). 

The  Confederate  Vico-ri'csident,  Alex.  II.  Stei)hens,  Semator 
R.  ]\I.  '^J\  Hunter,  and  Judge  Campl)ell  come  as  P«ace  Commis- 
sioners within  Grant’s  lines  (80  Jan.).  Sheianan  readies  Sav- 
annah River,  60  miles  above  Savannah  (80). 

President  Lincoln  aiTives  at  Foitress  Monrof  to  meet  the 
Confedciate  Commissionei  s (2  Feb.);  the  meeting  (8)  is  without 
residt.  At  Richmond,  gold  is  4,400  per  cent,  premium  (2). 

From  2000  to  8000  of  Gen.  Sherimui’s  right  column  effect  a 
landing  on  James  Island  (10  Feb.),  two  miles  fj-om  Chai  h'ston. 

Gen.  Lee  assumes  suiaeme  command  of  the  Confederate 
forces  (17  Feb.),  and  recommends  arming  the  blacks. 

Sherman  captures  Columbia,  S.  C.  (17  Feb.).  O'he  Confed- 
erates evacuate  Charleston,  and  it  is  oreuiiied  (18)  by  Union 
forces  under  Gen.  Gilmore;  200  jneccft  of  artillciy  and  a huge 
supply  of  ammunition  are  cat-tured;  GOOO  bales  of  cotton  are 
destroyed;  much  ammunition  stored  in  the  raihoad  depot  L 
destroyed,  and  many  lives  are  lost  by  the  explosion. 

Fort  Anderson,  N.  C.,  is  taken  (19  Fell.). 

Schofield  captures  ^Vilmington  (22).  d'he  Confederate  Co»^ 
gr<‘ss  decrees  that  the  colored  i-eople  shall  be  aimed  (22). 

Inauguration  of  Pi-esident  Lincoln  and  Andrew  Johnson  as 
Vice-President  (4 March).  In  his  inaugural  address  President 
Lincoln  makes  use  of  the  fuilowing  memorable  words:  W ith 
malice  toward  none,  with  charity  for  all,  with  firmness  in  the 
the  right,  as  God  gives  us  to  see  tlie  right,  let  us  strive  on  to 
finish  "the  work  we  are  in,  to  bind  up  the  nation’s  wounds,  to 
care  for  him  who  shall  have  borne  the  battle,  and  for  liis  widow 
and  his  orphans,  to  do  all  which  may  achieve  and  cherish  a just 
and  a lasting  peace  among  ourselves  and  w ith  all  nations.” 

The  Confederate  Congress  adjourns  sine  die  (17  March). 

The  Confederates  attack  General  Grant  and  are  severely 
defeated  (26  March).  The  three-days’  battle  at  l ive  Forks  begins 
(81);  Sheridan  turns  Lee’s  fiank  and  totally  defeats  him 
(1  April);  Lee  retreats  (2).  Richmond  is  taken  (2-3  April). 

Genei*al  Lee  and  his  wLole  army  surrender  to  Gen.  Grant  at 
Appomattox  Court  House  (8  ApriP. 

The  Union  fiag  is  hoisted  over  Fort  Sumter  (12  April). 

On  the  evening  of  14th  April,  President  Lincoln,  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln, Major  Rathbone,  and  Miss  Morris  occupy  a box  at  Ford’s 
Theatre,  Whishington;  at  about  half-past  nine  o’clock  J.Wilkes 
Booth  creeps  stealthily  into  the  box,  shoots  the  President, 
rushes  to  the  front  of  the  box,  brandishes  a lai-ge  knife, 
rf-iouts  “ /SiC  semper  tyramiis!  The  South  is  avenged,”  and 
Lsaiis  on  to  the  stage;  ids  spur  catches  in  tlie  American  fiag,  and 
he  breaks  his  leg.  The  ball  enters  just  behind  the  left  ear  and 
lodges  in  the  brain;  the  President  is  at  once  removed  to  & 
private  house  opposite  the  theatre. 

About  the  same  hour  an  attem])t  is  made  to  assaasinate  Se©» 
retary  Seward  and  his  son,  Ijoth  being  wounded. 

Ih-esideiit  Lincoln  di(;s  at  22  minutes  past  7 o’clock,  a.  m* 
^5  April),  Johnson  takes  the  oath  of  ofifice  as  President 


/ 


iJfRARy 
OF  TH? 


217' 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

1865.  J.  Wilkes  Booth,  the  murderer  of  the  President,  after  10  days 
Araiideringaiid  misery,  is  tracked  to  a barn  near  Bowling  Green, 
Va.,  and  refusing  to  surrender,  is  shot  (26  April). 

J jfferson  Davis  is  captured  (10)  at  Irwinsville,  75  miles  south 
of  Macon,  Ga.,  by  the  4th  Michigan  cavalry,  under  Col.Pritchaid 
of  Geh.  Wilson’s  command;  also  liis  wife,  mother,  Postmastei' 
General  Began,  Col.  Harrison,  private  secretary.  Col.  Johnson, 
and  others. 

The  Confederate  Governor,Watts,  of  Alabama  is  arrested  (19). 

The  ram  Stonewall  is  surrendered  (20  May)  to  the  Spanish 
authorities  in  Cuba. 

President  Johnson  proclaims  the  opening  of  the  southern 
ports  (22  May). 

Kirby  Smith  surrenders  (26  May),  and  the  last  armed  Con- 
federate organization  succumbs. 

President  Johnson  proclaims  an  amnesty, with  certain  excep- 
tions (29  May). 

The  Confederate  Gen.  Hood  and  Staff  surrender  (31  May). 

President  Johnson  rescinds  the  order  requiring  passports  f]-oni 
all  travelers  entering  the  U.  S.  (22  June). 

The  trial  of  Payne,  Atzerott,  Harold,  and  Mrs.  Surratt  for 
complicity  in  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  is  concluded 
(29  June);  they  are  found  guilty  (29),  and  executed  (7  July). 

The  President  orders  the  21,  4th,  5th,  6th,  7th,  9th,  10th, 
14th,  15th,  17th,  20th,  23d,  and  24th  army  corps  to  be  discon- 
tinued as  organizations  (1  Aug.). 

Idle  trial  of  Captain  Wirz,  tlie  Andersonville  jailor,  begins 
(21  Aug.). 

A great  Fenian  meeting  is  held  in  Philadelphia  '16-24  Oct.), 
and  the  Irish  Republic  is  proclaimed. 

A National  Thanksgiving  for  peace  is  held  (2  Nov.). 

All  restiictions  on  southern  ports  are  removed  (1  Sep.). 

Proclamation  of  the  Pi-esideut  putting  an  end  to  martial  law 
in  Kentucky  (12  Oct.).  Pardon  of  Alexander  Stephens  and 
other  Southern  officials  (12). 

The  Confederate  privateer  Shenandoah  surrenders  at  Liver- 
pool (6  Nov.),  after  having  destroyed  about  30  vessels;  the  crew 
are  released  on  parole  (8),  and  the  vessel  is  given  up  to  the 
American  Consul  (9). 

Captain  Wfirz  is  executed  (10  Nov.). 

The  Habeas  Go  pus  Act  is  restored  in  the  Northern  States 
(1  Dec.). 

The  correspondence  between  the  British  and  U.  S.  Govern- 
ments respecting  the  depredations  of  the  Alabama,  Shenandoah, 
etc.,  begun  in  April,  closes  2 Dec.;  the  Earl  of  Clarendon 
maintains  that“  no  armed  vessel  departed  during  the  war  from 
a British  port,  to  cruise  against  the  commerce  of  the  LI.  S.’' 

The  39th  Congress  meets,  4 Dec.;  the  Republican  Pait}^  i-re- 
dominate,  and  move  resolutions  against  the  restoration  of  the 
Southern  States  to  the  Union;  85  members  from  the  Southern 
"fiates  are  excluded  from  Congress. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year,  including  payments  on 
on  loans,  are  $1,897,674,224;  the  debt  is  $2,682,593,026;  the 
imports  are  $248,555,652;  and  the  exports,  $323,7434879 


218  ttMory  of  the  VnUei  SkUea, 

1866.  The  celebration  of  tlie  centenary  of  American  Methodism  opcna 
on  tho  lirst  Sunday  in  Jan.,  and  closes  on  the  last  Sunday  in 
Oct. ; during  t\m  period,  tno  gu:n  of  $8,0d2,7d5  is  collected  for 
Cliurcli  purposes. 

The  LI.  S.  Croverniuent,  having  iiotilled  France  that  a longer 
contin  j.r.u:e  of  French  troops  in  Mexico  will  be  disagreeable  to 
it,  is  i iform  )vl,  9 Jan.,  that  the  Emperor  will  with draw  a por- 
tion in  Nov.,  and  the  remainder  early  next  year;  our  MinLstei 
to  France  is  subsequently  informed  that  military  j casons  will 
prevent  any  withdrawals  this  year.  Gen.  Ortega,  a pret(;nd(a* 
to  th3  Presidency,  after  spending  several  months  in  the  U.  S., 
leaviiS  NrwOideans,  30  Oct.,  and  with  his  suite  is  arrested  at 
Brazos  Sa ntiago,  3 Nov.,  by  order  of  Gen.  Sheridaii,  3 Nov. 
Gen.  Sherman  and  Judge  Campbell,  special  commissioneis  to 
teniler  the  S3unpathy  and  supi)ort  of  the  U.  S.  to  theKepublican 
Government  of  President  Juarez,  leave  New  York  on  tlu  LJ.  S. 
S.  Sasqaeha/ina,  11  Nov.,  and  reach  Vera  Cruz,  27. 

The  civil  authority  held  by  the  Provisional  Governor  of 
Florida  is  transfei  red  to  the  Governor  elected  by  the  people 
(Gen.  Walker),  17  Jan. 

Congress  passes  a bill  to  enlarge  the  0})erations  of  tlr?  Fieed- 
men’s^3nreau,  0 Feb.;  thaPresident  vetoes  it,  19, and  Congress 
passes  it  over  the  veto,  16  Jul}^ 

The  President  declares  his  hostinty  to  Congress  and  denoun- 
ces the  Uaconstruction  Committee  in  a speecli  at  the  Executive 
Mansion,  23  Feb. 

The  L3gis!ature  of  Georgia  appropriates  |200, 000  to  purcliase 
corn  foi*  tlia  indigent  poor  of  the  State,  12  March. 

Congress  i)asses  the  Civil  Rights  Bill,  13  Marcli;  it  is  vetoed 
by”  the  President,  27,  and  passed  over  his  veto,  9 April. 

A proclamation  is  issued  by  the  President,  2 Api  il,  declaring 
the  insurrection  in  the  Southern  States,  excepting  Texas,  at  an 
end. 

An  expedition  for  the  invasion  of  Canada  is  fitted  out  in  New 
York  by  the  Fenian  Brotherhood,  A[)ril;  an  invading  force  of 
500  men  gatli  ns  at  Eastport,  Maine;  a schooner  with  a cargo 
of  arms  from  New  York  is  seized  on  its  arrival;  Gen.  Meade  is 
placed  in  command  of  the  frontier,  and  Britisli  troops  are  liur- 
ried  to  tho  front;  a few  day”s  later  the  expedition  is  abandoned. 
Head-Center  Stephens  arrives  in  New  York,  10  May,  and  tnes 
to  reconcile  tlie  O’Mahony  and  Roberts  factions;  tlie  latter, 
under  Gen.  Sweeney,  prepare  another  expedition;  U.  S.  Cus- 
toms oliieers  seize  1200  stands  4)f  arms  at  Rouse’s  l\dnt,  19,  and 
1000  at  St.  Albans,  30.  A party  of  fro:^\  1200  to  1300  cross 
the  Niagara  at  Buffalo,  1 June,  and  seize  Fort  Eri(‘;  a conflict 
witli  Canadian  volunteers  occurs,  2,  in  which  many  Fenians  are 
taken  prison(;rs;  tlie  remainder,  attempting  to  return  to  the  U. 
S.,  ai’e  arresbj  1 liy  the  U.  S.  gunboat  Michigan^  over  1500  are 
jiaroled,  tlie  odieers  giving  bail  to  answer  a charge  of  violating 
tho  lamti  ality  laws.  Over  1000  Fenians  cross  tlie  line  and  march 
on  St.  Annand,  7,  and  two  days  later  are  attacked  and  routed; 
Gen.  Sw(;(;!i(;y  and  stalf  are  arrested  at  St.  Albans,  President 
Roberts  at  Nmv  York,  and  several  othey  leaders  at  Buffalo.  The 


?19 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1866.  sentence  of  the  Fenian  prisoners,  condemned  to  death,  is  com- 
muted by  the  British  Govern nient  on  an  appeal  from  Secretary 
Seward. 

A riot  occm's  in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  between  the  whites  and 
the  soldiers  of  the  Third  (colored)  araltey,  1,  2 May,  in  wdiich 
24  negroes  are  killed  and  $120,000  worth  of  property  is 
destioyed. 

Jefferson  Davis  is  indicted  for  complicity  in  the  assassination 
of  President  Lincoln,  by  the  Grand  Jury  of  the  U.  S.  Circuit 
Court  of  Va.,  8 May;  Judge  Underwood  declines  to  release 
him  on  bail,  11  June. 

A new  Atlantic  cable  is  finished  early  in  Ma}^  and  success- 
fully laid  by  the  Grecft  Eastern,  27  July;  the  lost  cable  of  1865 
is  picked  up,  1 Sep.,  spliced,  2,  and  laid  without  accident. 

Congress  adopts  the  14th  Amendment  to  the  Constivation,  13 
June. 

Orders  are  issued,  15  June,  to  garrison  the  newly  established 
military  posts  along  the  new  route  of  travel  to  Montana,  Forts 
Rei-o,  Kearny,  and  Smith;  the  Indians  warn  the  troops  that 
they  will  resist  the  occupation  of  the  territory,  and,  21  Dec., 
tiiey  kill  the  whole  company  at  Fort  Kearny. 

A Commercial  Convention  between  the  U.  S.  and  Japan  is 
signed,  25  June. 

Portland,  Me.,  is  visited  by  a fire,  4 July,  which  destroys 
property  valued  at  over  $10,000,000. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  23  J uly,  Tennessee  is  formally  restored 
to  the  Union. 

Congress  creates  the  grades  of  Admiral  and  Vice-Admiral  in 
the  navy  and  revives  tiiat  of  General  in  the  army,  25  July; 
Farragut  is  promoted  to  Admiral,  Porter  to  Yice-Admhal, 
Grant  to  General,  and  Sherman  to  Lieutenant-General. 

A riot  breaks  out  in  New  Orleans,  30  July;  Gen.  Baird,  U.  S. 
A.,  proclaims  martial  law;  Gen.  Sheridan  reports,  1,  2 Aug., 
that  the  Mayor  suppressed  a convention  by  tlie  use  of  the  police, 
who  attacked  the  members  and  a party  of  200  negroes  with 
fire-arms,  clubs,  and  knives. 

A National  Union  Convention,  held  at  Philadelphia,  14  Aug., 
under  the  presidency  of  Senator  James  R.  Doolittle,  adopts 
resolutions  endorsing  the  President. 

A Convention  of  workingmen,  held  at  Baltimore,  21  Aug., 
demands  an  eight-hour  law. 

The  corner-stone  of  a monument  to  the  late  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  is  laid  at  Chicago,  6 Sep.,  in  the  presence  of  the 
President  and  many  distinguished  persons,  Gen.  John  A.  Dix 
delivering  the  oration. 

George  Peabody  makes  a^iother  visit  to  the  U.  S.,  and  assists 
in  the  inaugiu-ation  of  the  Peabody  Institute  at  Baltimore,  24 
Oct.;  auring  this  visit  he  increases  his  gifts  to  the  Baltimore 
Institution  to  $1,000,000,  and  gives  $150,000  for  the  founding 
of  an  Institute  of  Archaeology  at  Cambridge,  $150,000  for  a 
Department  of  Physical  Science  at  Yale,  and  $2,100,000  to  a 
boara  of  trustees  for  the  promotion  of  education  in  the  South, 
irrespective  of  race. 


220 


History  of  the  United  States. 

I860*  A gold  medal , purchased  by  the  subscriptions  of  40,000  French 

citizens,  for  Mrs.  Abraliani  Lincoln,  is  delivered  by  a commit- 
tee to  CJ.  S.  Minister  lligelow,  at  Paris,  1 Dec. 

A bill  granting  the  elective  franchise  to  citizens  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  irrespective  of  race  or  color,  passes  Congress, 
:I4  Dec. 

TheU.  S.  Ironsides,  famous  for  her  8ci*vices  during 

the  Civil  War,  is  destroyed  by  tire,  at  League  Island,  Penn., 
16  Dec. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  S520,800,416;  the  debt 
is  $2,783,425,879;  the  imports  are  $445,512,158;  and  the  exports, 
$550,684,277. 

1867.  The  President  vetoes  the  District  of  Columbia  Bill,  7 Jan.  On 
the  same  day,  Representative  Ashley,  of  Oliio,  charges  him 
with  the  commission  of  acts  which  are  high  crimes  and  misde- 
meanors, for  which  he  ought  to  be  impeached;  and  a resolu- 
tion instructing  the  Judiciary  Committee  to  investigate  the  sub- 
ject is  adopted  by  a vote  of  137  to  38. 

A National  Convention  of  colored  soldiers  and  sailors  assem- 
bles in  Philadelphia,  8 Jan.,  and  votes  thanks  to  Congress  for 
the  exertions  in  their  belialf,  despite  the  oppressive  measures 
of  the  President;  a National  Equal  Rig] its  Lc^ague  Convention 
of  colored  men  assembles  in  Washington,  11,  and  adopts  an 
address  to  Congre^,  which  is  presented  to  the  Reconstructior* 
Committee. 

The  Bill  for  the  admission  of  Colorado  into  the  Union  is 
adopted,  but  the  President  vetoes  it,  28  Jan.;  tlie  Bill  for  the 
admission  of  Nebraska  is  also  adopted;  it  is  vetoed,  29  Jan., 
and  passed  over  the  veto,  1 March. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Peabody  Southern  Educational  Fund 
meet  in  New  York  for  oi^anization,  19  Jan.;  tlie  funds  are 
transferred  to  them,  22  ^larch,  when  they  appoint  Rev.  Dr. 
Barnas  Sears,  president  of  Brown  University,  superintendent 
of  the  fund. 

The  Evangelical  Alliance  of  the  U.  S.  is  organized  in  New 
York,  30  Jan.,  with  William  E.  Do  Ige  as  president. 

Mexico  City  is  evacuated  by  the  French,  5 Feb.;  Maximilian 
suddenly  leaves  La  Teja,  and  unites  his  small  force  with  the 
armies  ot  Miramon  and  Mejia  at  Queretaro,  where  with  8000 
adherents  they  are  besieged  by  Gen.  Escobedo  during  March 
and  April;  by  tlie  treachery  of  Gen.  Lopez,  the  Emperor’s 
bosom  friend,  the  Liberal  troops  are  admitted  to  the  cit}',  15 
.May,  and  take  the  entire  Imperial  force  prisoners,  15  May;  a 
court-martial  for  the  trial  of  Maximilian  and  Gens.  Miramon 
and  M6jia  assembles,  13  June,  and  condemns  them  to  be  shot, 
16;  despite  the  protest  of  the  Prussian  Minister  to  Mexico  and 
the  appeals  for  clemency  of  Secretary  Seward,  the  sentence  is 
carried  out,  19;  the  body  of  Maximilian  is  given  to  the  Consul- 
General  of  Austria,  and  after  being  embalmed  is  conveyed  to 
Austria  on  an  imperial  steamer. 

Thaddeus  Stevens,  of  Penn.,  introduces  the  “ Military  Reco.i- 
gtruction  Bill,”  providing  for  the  division  of  the  insurrectionary 
Slates  into  live  military  districts.  Into  Congress,  6 Feb.;  it 
passes  the  House,  13,  and  the  Senate,  witii  amendments,  16/ 


I887»  both  Houses  concur  In  it,  2 March,  tlio  President  vetoes  it  the 
same  day,  and  Congress  passes  it  over  the  veto.  Subsequently 
the  President  appoints  the  following  commanders:  First  district 
^a.),  Gen.  J.  M.  Schofield;  Second  (N.  C.  and  S.  C.),  Gen,  1). 
E.  Sickles;  Third  (Ga.,  Fla.,  and  Ala.),  Gen.  John  Poi)e;  Fointh 
Miss,  and  Ark.),  Gen.  E.  O.  C*  Ord;  Fifth  (La«  and  Texas)^ 
Gen.  P,  H.  Sheridan.  • 

An  Act  designed  to  restrict  the  exercise  ot  tlie  power  of 
appointment  and  removal  by  the  President  is  adopted  by  Coin 
gress,  2 March,  vetoed  by  the  President  the  same  day,  and 
passed  over  the  veto. 

Congress  adopts  a national  bankruptcy  bill,  and  establisfies 
a Deimrtinent  of  p]ducation,  2 March;  Henry  Barnard,  LL. 
D.,  President  of  St.  John’s  College,  Annai)olis,  is  appointed 
and  confirmed  Commissioner  of  Education,  16. 

The  40tli  Congress  convenes,  4 March;  Schuyler  Colfax  is 
elected  Speaker  of  the  House  for  the  third  time,  and  Edward 
McPherson  is  re-elected  Clerk;  a supplement  to  the  Reconstruct 
tion  Act  is  concurred  ln»  19,  vetoed  by  the  President,  23,  and 
passed  over  the  veto, 

A treaty  is  signed  between  the  U,  S.  and  Russia,  80  Maroh^ 
for  the  transfer  of  the  tract  of  land  known  as  Russian  America 
Alaska)  to  the  U.  S.  for  the  sum  of  $7,200,000;  ratifications 
gere  exchanged,  20  June,  and  the  formal  transfer  Is  made  to 
Gen.  Rousseau,  at  New  Archangel  (Sitka),  © Oct. 

An  International  Exposition  oi  ai-t,  science,  manufacture,  and 
Industry  is  opened  at  Paris  with  grand  ceremonies,  1 April. 

An  Indian  war  breaks  out  on  the  line  of  the  Union  Pacific 
Railroad,  7 April;  military  operations  are  carried  on  against 
the  hostiies  throughout  the  year  without  satisfactoiw  results; in 
the  meantime,  20  July,  Congress  passes  an  Act  to  establish 
peace  with  the  hostile  tribes,  under  which  commissioners  are 
appointed;  they  have  interviews  with  a number  of  chiefs,  sign 
a treaty  with  the  Kiowas,  Comanches,  and  Apaches,  20  Oct., 
and  at  Fort  L^aramie,  Nov.,  effect  an  arrangement  by  which 
Red  Cloud,  the  great  Sioux  chief,  will  meet  the  commissioners 
In  the  spring  all  hostilities  to  cease  in  the  meantime. 

Jefferson  Davis  is  taken  to  Richmond,  Va,,  18  May,  on  a writ 
of  habeas  corpus^  and  on  the  application  of  his  counsel  is 
admitted  to  bail  In  the  sum  of  |i00,000,  to  appear  at  Richmond, 
26  Nov.  The  following  act  as  sureties  on  the  bond:  Horace 
Greeley,  Augustus  Schell,  N.  Y.;  Aristides  Welsh,  David  K. 
Jackman,  Phila.;  W.  H,  McFarland,  Richard  B.  Haxall,  Isaac 
Davenport,  Abraham  Warwick.  G.  A.  Myei^s,  W.  W.  Grump, 
James  Lyons,  J.  A.  Meredith,  W.  H.  Lyons,  John  M.  Botts, 
Thomas  W.  Boswell,  and  James  Thomas,  Jr,,  all  of  Virginia; 
on  26  Nov.  the  examination  is  adjourned  to  March  next. 

All  international  monetary  conference  is  opened  at  Pans,  17 
June,  and  closed,  9 July;  the  creation  of  a unitary  common 
coin  of  gold  is  agreed  ta,  and  all  the  governments  represented 
are  asked  to  give  a definite  answer  to  the  proposition  before 
15  Feb.,  1868.  • 

The  President  lays  the  com^«@tcme  id  a ntw  M«ysonic  Temple. 
In  Boston.  24  Jnme. 


222  JJistory  of  the  United  States^ 

1867,  Pre.sidmit  Jolmson  asks  Secretary  Stanton  to  resign,  5 Aiijj;  • 
the  Secretary  decliiios,  and  the  Pnisident  removes  liim,  12,  and 
appoints  Gen.  Grant  Secretary  of  war  pro  tern. ; Stanton  retires 
under  protest;  the  President  gives  the  Senate  liis  reasons  for 
removing  tlie  Secretary,  12  Dec. 

Tlie  President  issues,  an  amnesty  proclamation  wliich  covers 
nearly  all  the  whites  of  the  Soutiiern  States,  7 Sep. 

A large  number  of  American  p]pisco])alian  Bishops  take  pai*t 
In  a Pan- Anglican  Synod,  held  in  London,  24-27  Sep, 

Tlie  King  of  Denmark  announces,  25  Oct.,  his  resolution  t(« 
cede  the  islands  of  St.  Thomas  and  St.  John,  in  the  West  In- 
dies, to  the  U.  S. 

A convention  of  manufacturers  at  Cleveland,  0.,18,  19  Dec., 
demands  the  full  and  just  payment  of  the  national  debt. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $357,542,675;  the  debt 
is  $2,692,199,215;  the  im^joits  are  $417,831,571;  and  the  exports, 
$440,722,228. 

1868.  The  Senate  refuses  to  approve  of  the  President’s  suspension  of 

Secretary  Stanton,  13  Jan.,  and  it  thereby  becomes  void;  Gen. 
Grant  immediately  vacates  the  office  and  Mr.  Stanton  takes  pos 
session;  on  21  Feb.  the  President  again  removes  Mr.  Stanton 
and  appoints  Adjutant-General  Loienzo  Thomas,  U.  S.  A., 
Secretary  ad  inierim\  the* President  notifies  the  Senate,  and  Mr. 
Stanton  the  House,  of  the  action  the  same  day;  Mr.  Stanton 
refuses  to  vacate  the  office,  and  has  Gen.  Thomas  ai-rested,  22; 
the  House  resolves,  22,  by  a vote  of  126  to  47,  tliat  Andrew 
Johnson  be  impeached  of  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors; 
Messrs.  Thaddeus  Stephens,  Penn.;  Benj.  F.  Butler.  Mass.; 
John  A.  Bingham,  Ohio;  George  S.  Bout  well.  Mass.;  James  F. 
Wilson,  Iowa;  Thomas  Williams,  Penn.;  and  John  A.  Logan, 
111.,  are  appointed  managers,  on  the  part  of  the  House,  Mr. 

^ Butler  being  selected  as  chief  pposecutor,  29;  the  articles  of  im- 
peachment are  accepted  by  the  House,  2 March*  the  Senate 
organizes  as  a high  court  of  impeachment,  with  Chief  Justice 
Chase  presiding,  5;  the  President  is  summoned  to  the  bar,  7, 
and  appears  by  counsel,  13;  ten  days  are  granted  to  prepare 
an  answer  to  the  indictment;  the  House  denies  every  averment 
in  the  answer,  23,  and  the  trial  opens,  30;  the  examination  of 
witnesses  closes,  22  April;  the  arguments  of  counsel  are  finished, 
6 May,  and  the  entire  Senate  votes,  26,  when  35  pronounce  the 
President  guilty  and  19  not  guilty;  he  is  therefore  acquitted  by 
one  vote.  Mr.  Stanton  retires  from  office  the  same  day,  and 
Gen.  John  M.  Schofield  is  appointed  and  confirmed  Secretary 
of  War. 

Chicago  has  a $3,000,000  fire,  28  Jan. 

Barnum’s  Museum,  N.  Y.,  is  destroyed  by  fire,  3 March. 

A riot  occurs  between  Irish  and  German  emigrants  on  Ward’s 
Island,  N.  Y.,  5 March. 

Rev.  Stephen  11.  Tyng,  Jr.,  is  publicly  admonished  by  Bishop 
Potter,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Diocese  of  New  York,  after 
trial,  for  having  olliciated  in  a Methodist  church,  14  March. 

Hon.  George  W.  Asliburn,  of  Columbus,  Ga.,  is  assi^ssln^ted 
by  members  ot  the  Ku-Klux-Klan.  31  Maix-ik- 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1868  An  Embassy  from  the  Emperor  of  China,  headed  by  Hon*, 
A'  son  Bni'lingame,  the  Ameiican  Minister,  reaches  San  Fran- 
listo,  March;  after  a siiort  stay  the  members  proceed  to 
Vrashington,  via  New  York,  and  enter  upon  negotiations  for  a 
S’ ecial  treaty,  containing  additions  to  the  treaty  of  18  June. 
1858;  the  new  treaty  is  signed,  4 July,  and  ratified  by  the  Sen 
^ ^ae,  16;  during  the  stay  of  the  Embassy  in  the  U.  S.,  Mr.  Bur- 
* liiigame  and  the  Chinese  princes  are  the  recipients  of  grand 
ovations. 

A teiTible  disaster  occurs  on  the  New  York  and  Erie  Eailroad, 
at  Carr’s  Rock,  by  which  over  100  passengers  are  killed,  burned 
iv,  death,  or  severely  injured,  15  April. 

Idle  President  unveils  the  memorial  monument  and  statue  of 
^.braham  Lincoln,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  15  April. 

Lire  Union  League  Club,  of  New  York,  gives  its  dedicatory 
reception  in  its  new  building,  16  Api  il. 

A fire  destroys  the  Ohio  Female  College,  near  Cincinnati, 
uii  ler  exciting  circumstam^es,  23  April. 

A Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Convention,  in  Chicago,  pronounces 
in  lavor  of  Gen.  Grant  for  the  Presidency,  19  May. 

I'he  National  Republican  Convention  is  held  in  Chicago, 
assembling  20  May;  Joseph  R.  Hawley,  of  Conn.,  is  chosen 
}>ermanent  president;  the  platform  denounces  all  forms  of 
re])udiation  of  the  national  debt,  and  condemns  the  course  of 
Pj  esident  Johnson;  Gen.  Grant  is  nominated  for  the  Presidency, 
receiving  650  votes;  on  the  sixth  ballot  for  Vice-President, 
S'vhuyler  Colfax  is  nominated,  receiving  522  votes. 

Congress  passes  a Bill,  12  June,  to  admit  North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina,  Louisiana,  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Florida  to 
representation;  a Bill  to  admit  Arkansas  is  vetoed  by  the  Presi- 
dent,  20,  and  passed  over  the  veto. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  Masonic  Temple,  Philadelphia,  is 
laid,  24  June,  with  imposing  ceremonies. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  is  held  in  New  Yc-i  k, 
. conveniiig  4 July;  Horatio  Seynioui’  is  chosen  permanent  piesi- 

dent,  6;  the  platform  demands  the  immediate  lestoiation  to  ail 
the  States  of  their  rights  in  the  Union,  amnesty  for  all  j ast 
political  otfences,  reform  of  abuses  in  administration,  payment 
of  the  public  debt,  and  the  subordination  of  the  military  to 
th(^  Uvil  ^wer;  on  the  22d  ballot,,  Horatio  Seymour  is  nomin- 
atcni  for  President,  receiving  the  entire  vote,  317;  Gen.  Frank 
P.  Blair  receives  the  nomination  for  Vice-President. 

A Soldiers’  and  Sailors’  Convention,  held  in  New  York,  4 
July,  under  the  presidency  of  Gen.  William  B.  Franklin, 
pledges  its  delegates  to  support  the  Democratic  Presidential 
nominees. 

An  amnesty  proclamation  is  issued  by  the  President,  4 July, 
pardoning  all  persons  in  the  Southern  States  except  those  under 
presentment  or  indictment  in  any  court  of  the  U.  S.  having 
competent  jurisdiction. 

Secretary  Seward  issues  a notice  of  the  adoption  of  the  14th 
Amendment  to  the  Constitution  by  a majority  of  the  States,  20 
July. 


History  of  the  United  States. 

« 

*868  Bjiltiinore  and  its  vicinity  are  visited  hy  an  unprecedented 
Hood,  24  July. 

Congress  i)asRes  a Bill  for  the  i)ayment  of  the  national  debt 
and  the  rcMluetion  of  the  rate  of  inten^st  thereon,  25  .Inly. 

Wyoming  territory  is  organized  from  portions  of  Dakota, 
Idaho,  and  Utah,  with  an  area  of  0;>,107  square  miles,  25 
July. 

Gen.  Grant,  as  General-in-Chief  of  the  armies,  issues  a pro 
clamation,  28  July,  declaring  that  so  much  of  the  Keconstriu?  ■ 
tion  Acts  as  provided  for  the  organization  of  inilitaiy  districts 
has  become  inoi)erattve. 

A tidal-wave,  following  an  eai*thquake,  at  Arica,  Peru,  18 
Aug.,  capsizes  tlie  U.  S.  storeship  Fredonia,  destroy ing$  1,800, - 
000  worth  of  naval  stores,  and  carries  the  U.  S.  >S.  Waieree  half 
a mile  on  to  land. 

^die  American  yacht  Sappho  is  beaten  in  an  international 
yacht  race,  around  the  Isle  of  Wight,  Eng.,  25  Aug. 

A severe  earthquake  visits  the  Pacific  Coast,  21  Oc\,  doing 
much  damage  in  Ban  Francisco. 

The  llev.  James  McCosh,  1).  D.,  LL.  D.,  of  Scotland,  is 
installed  as  President  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey  (Princeton^ 
27  Oct. 

In  the  Presidential  election,  3 Nov.,  Grant  and  Colfax  receive 
3,015,887  po])ular  and  214  electoi-al  votes,  and  Seymour  and 
Blair  2,703,249  popular  and  80  electoral  votes. 

Fort  Lafayette,  New  York  harbor,  is  desti’oyedby  fire,  1 Dec. 

The  President  issues  a second  amnesty  proclamation,  25  Dec., 
declaring  unconditionally  and  without  reservation,  a full  ])ar- 
don  and  amnesty  to  every  person  who  participated  in  the  late 
insurrection. 

The  cotton  crop  for  the  year  yields  $250,000,000,  or  $90,000,- 
000  more  than  in  1860. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $377,340,284 j the  debt 
is  $2,636,320,964;  the  imports  are  $371,624,808;  and  the  expoits, 
$454,301,713. 

1869.  Tlie  new  suspension  bridge,  connecting  the  village  of  Niagara 
Falls  with  that  of  Clifton,  Canada,  having  the  longest  span  in 
in  the  world,  is  opened,  1 Jan. 

Operations  are  begun  for  the  removal  of  the  obstmetions  at 
Hell  Gate,  on  the  East  River,  New  York,  11  Jan. 

The  15th  Amendment  to  the  Constitution,  giving  the  right 
of  suffrage  to  all  citizens  of  the  Republic,  without  regard 
to  race,  color,  or  previous  condition,  is  recommended  by  a joint 
resolution  of  Congress,  26  Feb.;  it  is  subsequently  ratified  by 
the  requisite  number  of  States. 

Gen.  U.  S.  Grant  is  inaugurated  eighteenth  Presideii;  of  the 
U.  S.,  4 Marcli;  the  41st  Congress  assembles  at  noon,  the  same 
day.  The  Semate,  5,  confirms  the  following  cabinet  appoint- 
ments : Secretary  of  State,  E.  B.  Washburne,  111.;  Secretarv  of 
the  Ti*easury,  A.  Stewart,  N.  Y.;  Secretary  of  War,  Gt'  i. 
John  A.  Rawlins,  111.;  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Adol])h  E.  Boic‘, 
Penn.;  S(jci-etai-y  of  the  Interior,  Gen.  Jacob  D.  Cox,  Ohio; 
Postmasba’-General,  John  A.  J.  Creswell,  Md.;  and  Attorney- 
Geneial  E.  Rock  wood  Hoar.  Mass.  The  appointment,  of  Mr. 


Sistory  of  the  United  States^ 

1869,  Stewart  being  illegal,  on  account  of  liis  business  occupation, 
his  name  is  withdrawn  and  that  of  George  S.  Boutwell,  Mass., 
substituted;  Mr.  Washburne  declines,  and  Hamilton  Fish,  N. 
Y.,  is  appointed;  Mr.  Borie  soon  retires,  and  is  succeeded  by 
George  M.  Robeson,  N.  J.;  and  Gen.  Rawlins,  dying,  6 Sep.,  is 
succeeded  by  Gen.  W.  W.  Belknap,  Iowa. 

The  President  recommends  and  Congress  sanctions  the 
appointment  of  a number  of  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  as  Government  agents  among  the  Indians,  Aju  il. 

Dr.  Thomas  Durant  and  Gov.  Leland  Stanford  diive  the  last 
spikes  connecting  the  Union  and  Central  Pacific  Railroads,  at 
Promontory  Point,  Utah,  10  May. 

An  expedition,  fitted  out  in  New  York,  consisting  of  a large 
body  of  volunteers  and  a heavy  cargo  of  cannon,  muskets,  and 
ammunition,  under  command  of  Gen.  Jom’dan,  lands  on  the 
northern  coast  of  Cuba,  12  May. 

During  the  month  of  June,  a lay  vote  is  taken  in  all  the 
Methodist  Churches  in  the  U.  S.,  on  the  long-agitated  question 
of  lay  representation;  the  total  vote  cast  is  about  250,000,  of 
which  170,000  are  cast  in  favor  of  the  change,  and  about  80,- 
000  against. 

President  Grant  appoints  Gen.  Babcock,  2 June,  a special 
agent  to  obtain  information  concerning  the  Dominican  Repub- 
lic; on  his  return  from  the  island,  he  renders  a report  favorable 
to  the  project  of  annexation;  he  is  again  sent  to  the  island  to 
assist  the  U.  S.  Commercial  Agent,  Raymond  H.  Perry,  to  ne- 
gotiate for  the  annexation  of  the  whole  territory  of  the  Repub- 
lic to  the  U.  S. ; a treaty  for  the  annexation  of  the  territory, 
and  a convention  for  the  lease  of  the  Bay  and  Peninsula  of 
Samana  are  concluded,  29  Nov.;  the  Senate  rejects  the  tr^^aty 
after  an  exciting  debate. 

George  Peabody  again  lands  at  New  York,  10  June;  he  now 
endows  the  Peabody  Museum,  at  Salem,  Mass.,  with  $150,000; 
gives  $30,000  to  Newburyport  for  a library;  $30,000  to  Phillips 
Academy,  Andover;  $20,000  to  the  Massachusetts  Historical 
Society;  $20,000  to  the  Maryland  Historical  Society;  $25,000  to 
Kenyon  College;  $10,000  to  the  Public  Library  at  Thetford, 
Vt.;  $60,000  to  Washington  College,  Va.;  and  adds  $1,400,000 
to  his  Southern  Education  Fund.  He  leaves  for  London,  30 
Sep.,  and  dies  there,  4 Nov.;  the  funeral  services  are  held  in 
Westminster  Abbey,  12,  and  the  body  is  placed  on  the  British 
turret-steamship  Monarch  for  transportation  to  the  U.  S.i  11 
Dec. 

A great  musical  jubilee,  projected  by  Patrick  S.  Gilmore,  to 
commemorate  the  restoration  of  peace  in  the  U.  S.  is  held  to 
Boston,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19  June. 

Two  U.  S.  revenue  cutters  capture  the  tugs  Coole  and  Webb, 
with  Cuban  expeditionists  and  munitions  of  war  on  board,  in 
Long  Island  Sound,  26  Jan.;  it  is  believed  that  a much  larger 
force,  under  Col.  Ryan,  is  hiding  in  the  vicinity  of  GardinePs 
Island. 

A soldier’s  national  monument,  erected  on  the  battle-field  of 
Gettysburg,  is  dedicated,  1 July,  Qen*  Meade,  the  hero  of  the 
fight,  making  the  address. 


220 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

18^'9.  A colossal  equestrian  statue  in  bronze  of  Washington,  In  the 
Public  Gardens,  Boston,  is  unveiled,  3 July. 

Miss  Ida  Lewis,  tlie  American  Grace  Darling,  is  presented 
with  a testimouial  life-boat,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  5 July. 

The  U.  S.  end  of  the  Franco-Aincrican  cable  is  landed  at 
Duxbury,  Mass.,  23  July. 

Col.  Joseph  13odd  breaks  ground  in  the  City  Hall  Park,  New 
York,  for  tlie  new  post-office  building,  9 Aug. 

A Harvard  College  crew  is  defeated  by  an  Oxford  ct'cw  by 
a length  and  a half,  in  an  intercollegiate  boat-race,  at  London, 
27  Aug. 

The  shaft  of  the  Avondale  coal-mine,  Penn.,  takes  fire,  6 
Sep".,  and  all  the  men  at  work  in  the  mine,  over  100,  perisli,  as 
there  are  neither  means  of  escai^e  nor  rescue  while  the  fire 
rages. 

A gold  clique  in  New  York  produces  a i)anic,  24  Sep.,  by 
forcing  the  price  of  gold;  it  sells  in  the  morning  at  150,  and  by 
noon  at  162^  ; the  most  intense  excitement  prevails,  until  the 
Government  announces  that  it  will  relieve  the  market  by  selling 
gold,  when  the  price  falls  to  133. 

An  equinoctial  storm  is  followed,  4 Oct.,  by  unusually  dis- 
astrous floods  along  the  entire  Atlantic  coast. 

Pk*e  Hyacinthe,  the  noted  French  priest,  arrives  at  N.  Y.,  18 
Oct.,  and  is  introduced  to  the  American  public  by  Henry  Ward 
Beecher,  24. 

The  steamer  Cornwall  is  burned  on  the  Mississippi  River, 
below  Cairo,  28  Oct.,  and  200  lives  are  lost. 

A bronze  monument  to  Bishop  Brownell,  founder  of  Trinity 
College,  Hartford,  Conn.,  the  gift  of  George  W.  Burnham,  is 
unveiled  on  the  college  green,  14  Nov. 

The  Spanish  Government  has  30  gunboats  built  inNewYork; 
they  are  seized  by  U.S.  Marshals  on  a charge  of  being  intended 
for  war  against  a friendly  nation,  Peru;  Judge  Blatchford 
releases  them,  14  Dec.,  and  18  leave  under  convoy  of  a Spanish 
frigate,  19. 

Ah  (Ecumenical  Council  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  to 
which  a large  number  of  American  prelates  have  been  sum- 
moned, is  opened  in  Rome,  Italy,  2 Dec. 

During  the  year,  the  President  appoints  J.  Lothrop  Motley, 
U.  S.  Minister  to  Great  Britain,  vice  Reverdy  Johnson,  recalled: 
John  Jay,  Minister  to  Austria;  Andrew  G.  Curtin,  Minister  to 
Russia;  Gen.  Daniel  E.  Sickles,  Minister  to  Spain;  and  Moses 
II.  Grinnell,  Collector  of  the  Port  of  New  York. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  |322,865,277;  the  debt 
is  $2,588,452,213;  the  imports  are  $437,314,255;  and  the  exports, 
$413,901,115. 

1870.  11.  R.  H.  Prince  Arthur,  son  of  Queen  Victoria,  arrives  in  New 
York  and  is  welcomed  by  Mr.  Thornton,  the  British  Minister, 
21  Jan.;  the  Prince  is  presented  to  President  Grant,  at  Wash- 
ington, 24;  a grand  ball  is  givcm  in  his  honor,  27;  and  the  citi- 
zens of  New  York  give  him  a reception,  1 Feb. 

The  II.  S.  S.  steamer  Oneida  is  struck  by  a steamer  of  the 
Peninsula  and  Oriental  S.  S.  Line,  about  20  miles  from  Yoko- 


History  of  the  United  States.  227 

1870.  liama,  Japan,  23  Jan.,  and  sinks  with  over  100  of  her  officers  and 
crew. 

The  remains  of  the  late  George  Peabody  arrive  at  Portland, 
Me.,  on  the  British  man-of-war  Monarch,  which  is  convoyed 
into  the  harbor  by  the  U.  S.  S.  Miantonomah,  Terror,  and  Ply- 
mouth, 26  Jan.;  the  remains  are  buried  at  Peabody,  formerly 
South  Danvers,  Mass.,  1 Feb. 

Hiram  K.  Revels,  of  JMiss.,  the  first  colored  man  ever  elected  to 
the  U.  S.  Senate,  is  sworn  in,  25  Feb. 

The  President  issues  a i)roclamation  announcing  the  ratifica- 
tion of  the  15tli  Aniendineiit  by  the  States,  30  March. 

The  floor  of  the  court-room  in  the  Capitol  building,  at  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  while  crowded  with  people  awaiting  an  important 
legal  discussion,  gives  way  without  warning,  and  precipitates 
the  people  and  debris  into  the  Hall  of  Delegates,  a distance  of 
25  feet,  27  April;  over  60  persons  are  killed  and  125  injured. 

Fenians  begin  congregating  in  force  at  different  points  along 
the  Canadian  border  in  New  York  and  Vermont,  22  May.  The 
present  campaign  contemplates  a movement  into  Wyoming 
Territory,  the  capture  of  the  cannon  and  arms  of  the  British 
expedition  against  Louis  Riel,  and  a raid  on  the  eastern  frontier 
between  Kingston  and  Montreal.  President  Grant  issues  a warn- 
ing proclamation,  24 ; over  1000  men  gather  at  Burlington, 
and  nearly  3000  at  St.  Albans,  Vt.;  Gen.  O’Neill  orders  a 
Fenian  advance  early  in  the  morning,  25,  and  shortly  after- 
wards an  engagement  occurs  at  Cook’s  Corners,  St.  Armand; 
after  an  hour’s  skirmishing, •O’Neill  orders  a rest,  and  retires  to 
a neighboring  building,  where  he  is  arrested  by  Gen.  George 
Foster,  U.  S.  Marshal;  O’Neill  threatens  resistance,  but  Foster 
forces  him  into  a carriage  at  the  point  of  a pistol,  and  drives 
him  through  his  men  to  St.  Albans,  where  he  is  lodged  in  jail. 
Fighting  is  resumed,  but  the  Fenians  are  soon  forced  to  fall 
back  ; an  engagement  occurs  at  Trout  Kiver,  27,  in  which  the 
invaders  are  routed.  The  subsequent  arrest  of  the  leaders  of 
both  movements  puls  an  end  to  the  scheme. 

Edward  Payson  Weston  walks  100  miles  within  22  hoUi’s  in 
New  York,  25  May. 

The  corner-stone  of  a monument  to  Baron  Steuben,  of  Revo- 
lutionary fame,  is  laid  1 June,  Horatio  Seymour  delivering 
the  oration. 

The  corner-stone  of  a new  Masonic  Temple  in  New  York  is 
laid,  8 June,  in  the  presence  of  many  thousand  members  of  the 
fraternity. 

Charles  Dickens  dies  at  Gad’s  Hill,  Eng.,  9 June. 

Attorney-General  Hoar  and  Secretary  of  the  Interior  Cox 

resign,  20  June,  and  Amos  T.  Akerman,  of  Ga.,  and  Columbus 
Delano,  of  Ohio,  are  appointed  their  successors  respectively. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  8 July,  the  statutes  relating  to  patents 
and  copy^hts  are  revised,  consolidated,  and  amended. 

In  the  (Ecumenical  Council,  at  Rome,  Archbishop  Spaulding, 
of  Baltimore,  advocates,  and  Archbishop  Kenrfck,  of  St.  Louis, 
opposes,  the  Dogma  of  the  Infallibility  of  the  Pope,  which  is 
adopted,  18  July. 


228  History  of  the  United  States, 

1870.  M.  Prevost-Paradol,  newly  apimintod  French  Minister  to  the 
U.  S.,  commits  suicide  a few  days  after  his  presentation  to  the 
President,  26  July. 

An  ocean  race  between  the  English  yacht  Cambria  and  the 
American  yacht  Dauntless,  from  Queenstown  harbor  to  New 
York,  results  in  a victory  for  the  former,  which  arrives,  27 
July,  the  time  being  23  days,  5 hours. 

Benjamin  Nathan,  a higlily-respected  and  wealthy  Hebrew 
citizen  of  New  York,  is  found  murdered  in  bis  residence,  20 
July;  the  mystery  of  the  crime  remains  unsolved. 

A most  exciting  yacht  race  occurs,  8 Aug.,wlien  the  Cambria, 
of  the  lioyal  Thames  Yacht  Club,  Eng.,  competes  with  the 
vessels  of  the  New  York  Yacht  Club,  inachallenge  contest  for 
the  America’s  Cup,  held  in  tlie  U.  S.  since  1851;  the  course  is 
around  the  southwest  Spit,  NewYork  Bay,  and  the  Magic  comes 
in  the  winner  of  the  race. 

The  Kansas  Pacific  Railroad  to  Denver,  Col.,  is  completed,  15 
August. 

Admiral  David  G.  Farragut,  U.  S.  N.,  dies  at  Portsmouth,  N. 
H.,  15  Aug.,  aged  GO;  the  funeral  is  held  in  NewYork,  30  Sep 
President  Grant  and  other  distinguished  officers  of  the  arm> 
and  navy  i>articipating. 

Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Franco-Prussian  war,  President 
Grant  issues  a neutrality  proclamation,  22  Aug.;  recruiting  in 
New  York  for  the  French  armies,  and  the  presence  there  of 
several  French  war- vessels,  lead  him  to  issue  another,  8 Oct., 
particularly  defining  the  duties  of  citizens  of  a neutral  nation. 

Gen.  Robert  E.  Cee,  Commander-in-chief  of  the  Confederate 
armies,  dies  at  Lexington,  Va.,  12  Oct.,  aged  62;  the  funeral  is 
held  at  Washington  and  Lee  College,  of  which  he  had  been 
President  since  1866,  15. 

An  earthquake,  manifesting  itself  throughout  the  New  Eng- 
land, Middle,  and  Western  States,  and  the  Canadas,  occurs, 
20  Oct.;  in  New  York  City,  the  earth  vibrates  rapidly,  causing 
great  excitement,  particularly  in  the  public  schools,  by  the 
trembling  of  the  iDuildings. 

A convention  is  held  in  Cincinnati,  0.,  25  Oct.,  and  the  ques- 
tion of  the  removal  of  the  National  Capitol  from  Washington 
to  some  western  city  is  warmly  discussed. 

J.  H.  Rainey,  of  S.  C.,  the  first  colored  man  ever  elected  to 
the  U.  S.  House  of  Representatives,  is  sworn  in,  12  Dec. 

In  the  U.  S.  Senate,  Mr.  Morton  introduces  a resolution  tor 
the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  proceed  to  San  Domingo 
and  inquire  into  all  the  facts  bearing  on  the  question  of  annexa- 
tion, 12  Dec.;  in  the  House — the  same  day — Mr.  Banks  offers  a 
joint  resolution  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  nego- 
tiate a treaty  with  San  Domingo  for  the  acquisition  of  all  its 
territory  by  the  U.  S.;  Mr.  Morton’s  resolution  is  laid  on  the 
table,  but  is  taken  up,  20,  and,  despite  Mr.  Sumners  bitter 
opposition,  is  passed  by  a vote  of  32  to  9,  30  being  absent;  Presi- 
dent Grant  ai)points  Hon.  Benj.  F.  Wade,  Ohio;  President  A, 
D.  White,  of  Cornell  University,  and  Hon.  S.  G.  Howe,  Mass,, 
commissioners  to  in'oceed  imniediately  to  San  Domingo,  and 


lifts 


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.'is  v ^ •' 


229 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1870,  the  U.  S.  S.  Tennessee  is  orcl^i-ed  into  commission  to  conve}^  the 
l)arty  thither. 

George  Holland,  the  comedian,  dies  in  New  York,  20  Dec. 
When  his  friends  call  upon  Rev.  Dr.  Sabine  to  officiate  at  the 
funeral  and  open  his  church  for  the  purpose,  he  refuses,  and 
directs  them  to  ‘‘the  little  church  round"  the  corner'^  (the 
Church  of  the  Transfiguration,  on  59th  St.,  east  of  5th  Ave.); 
the  actor  is  buried  therefrom,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Houghton  readily 
consenting  and  officiating. 

During  the  year.  Congress  charters  the  Northern  Pacific 
Railroad,  and  restores  Georgia,  Mississippi,  Texas,  and  Vu*ginia 
* to  representation. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $309,653,560;  theaebt 
is  $2,480,304,797;  the  imports  are  $460,377,587;  and  the  exports, 
$499,092,143. 

1871,  James  W.  Smith,  the  first  colored  boy  who  had  passed  the  exami- 

nation for  admission  to  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy,  is  placed  on 
trial  by  court-martial , 7 Jan.;  the  trial  closes,  12,  when  the 
accused  delivers  his  own  defence  to  the  charge. 

The  enumeration  of  inhabitants  of  the  U.  S.  which  began  1 
June,  1870,  is  completed,  9 Jan.;  it  shows  returns  covering 
88,555,983  persons. 

The  Judiciary  Committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
receive  a delegation  of  prominent  ladies,  who  claim  the  right  to 
vote  on  the  basis  of  the  14th  and  15th  Amendments,  11  Jan. 

The  U.  S.  frigate  Tennessee  sails  from  New  York  with  the  San 
Domingo  Commissioners  and  suite,  17  Jan.,  and  arrives  at 
Samana  Bay,  24;  the  Commissioners  separate  and  visit  every 
part  of  the  Republic,  each  being  accompanied  by  members  of 
the  scientific  corps  detailed  to  aid  their  researches;  returning, 
they  land  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  26  March;  an  elaborate  report  is 
prepared  and  submitted  to  Congress,  with  a special  message 
from  the  President,  5 April. 

By  Act  of  Congress,  the  income-tax  law  is  repealed,  26  dan. 

Sir  Edward  Thornton,  the  British  Minister  to  the  IJ.S.,  under 
instructions  from  his  Government,  proposes  to  Secretaiy  Fish 
a joint  commission  for  the  settlement  of  the  troubles  between 
the  U.  S.  and  Great  Britain  growing  out  of  the  fisheries  ques- 
tion, 26  Jan.;  Mr.  Fish  replies,  30,  expressing  the  desire  of  the 
President  that  the  Alabama  claims  shall  also  be  discussed,  to 
which  the  Minister  assents.  The  President,  9 Feb,,  nominates 
Hamilton  Fish,  Seci'etary  of  State;  Robert  C.  Schenck,  U.  S. 
Minister  to  Great  Britain;  E.  R.  Hoar,  Attorney-General;  Justice 
Samuel  Nelson,  U.  S.  Sui)reme  Court  * and  George  H.  Williams, 
U.  S.  Senator,  as  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  U.  S.;  they 
are  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  10.  Queen  Victoria  appoints  the 
Earl  de  Grey  and  Ripon,  Sir  Stafford  North  cote,  Sir  Edward 
Thornton,  Sir  John  A. Macdonald,  and  Prof.  Montague  Bernard, 
Commissioners  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain.  The  High  Joint 
Commission  begins  its  sessions  in  Washington,  27,  Lord  Ten- 
terden  and  J.  Bancroft  Davis,  Assistant  Secretary  of  State, 
acting  as  joint  protocolists  A treaty  is  signed  by  the  Commis- 
sioners, 8 May,  providing  for  the  settlement  by  the  arbitration 
of  a mixed  commission  of  all  the  questions  at  issue;  this  treaty 


230 


History  of  the  United  States. 


1871.  fe  proHDtly  ratified  by  both  Governments,  and  they  join  In 
askin/r  the  E’ni)erorof  l^razil,  tlie  King  of  Italy,  and  the  IVesl- 
deiit  of  the  Swiss  Confederation  to  appoint  each  an  ariiitrator. 
Tlie  Mixed  Commission,  consisting  of  Chai  les  Francis  Adams, 
U.  S.;  Sir  Alexander  Cockburn,  Great  Ih'itain;  cx-Pr«^sident 
Sbiemplli,  Switzerland;  Count  Sclopis,  Italy;  aii  l Ibii’on  Itajuba, 
Brazil,  meets  in  Geneva,  and  organizes  early  in  Dec;.  The 
British-American  Claims  Commission,  for  other  claims,  is  com- 
posed of  Russell  Gurney,  Great  Britain;  Judge  J.  K,  Fraser, 
U.  S.;  and  Count  Corti,  of  Italy;  the  tribunal  adjourns  to  15 
June  next. 

The  Franco  - Prussian  war  producing  great  destitution  in 
France,  A.  T.  Stewart  sends  a $50,000  cargo  of  flour  from  New 
York  to  Havre  direct,  25  Feb.;  the  U.  S.  Government  olTers  the 
Supply  and  the  frigate  Worcester  to  convey  American  contribu- 
tions; the  former  is  fitted  out  at  New  York  and  the  latter  at 
Boston,  and  both  sail  early  in  March. 

Congress  passes  a Bill  for  the  celebration  of  the  Centennial 
of  American  Independence,  3 March. 

A provision  for  a Civil  Service  Commission,  contained  in  the 
Appropriations  Bill,  is  adopted  by  Congress,  3 March,  in  accord- 
ance with  which  the  President  appoints  George  William  Curtis, 
Alex.  G.  Caltell,  Joseph  Medill,  D.  A.  Walker,  E.  B.  Ellicott, 
Joseph  II.  Blackfan,  and  David  C.  Cox  members  of  the  fu’st 
Civil  Service  Commission. 

Great  excitement,  politically,  is  produced,  9 March,  by  the 
removal  of  Charles  Sumner  from  the  Chairmanship  of  the 
Senate  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations. 

German  residents  in  the  U.  S.  celebrate  the  victory  of  Prussia 
over  France,  by  grand  demonstrations,  10  April. 

President  Grant  approves  the  ‘‘  Ku-Klux  ” Bill,  20  April. 

The  new  Museum  of  Natural  History,  in  Central  Park,  New 
York,  is  openeci,  27  April. 

Edward  FI.  Ruloff,  an  extraordinary  philologist,  is  hanged 
for  murder,  at  Binghampton,  N.  Y.,  18  May. 

Commander  Selfridge,  U.  S.  N.,  returns  from  a surveying 
expedition  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and  reports  a feasible 
route  for  a ship  canal,  July. 

New  York  City  is  convulsed  with  an  Orange  riot,  i2  July,  in 
which  the  police  and  militia  have  several  conflicts,  attended  by 
fatal  consequences^  witli  the  Irish  populace. 

The  boiler  of  the  Staten  Island  ferryboat  explodes, 

30  July,  at  Whitehall,  New  York,  causing  a large  loss  of  life. 

A mass-meeting  of  the  citizens  of  New  York  is  held,  4 Sept., 
to  consider  the  mismanagement  of  the  city  and  county  finances 
and  the  exposures  of  the  Tweed  Ring;  a committee  of  seventy 
eminent  citizens  is  chosen  to  investigate  the  frauds,  and  Charles 
O’Conor  is  selected  as  legal  a Iviser;  indictments  are  found 
against  Mayor  Hall,  William  M.  Tweed,  Commissioner  of  Public 
Works,  Peter  B.  Sweeney,  Commissioner  of  Parks,  Comptrollei 
Connelly,  and  others;  they  are  arrested,  26  Oct.  and  admitted 
to  bail;  Connelly  flees  the  country,  and  Tweed  is  again  arrested, 
15  Dec.,  on  a charge  of  felony  . 


A* 


230  History  of  Jhc  United  States. 

1871.  is  promptly  ratified  by  both  Governments,  and  they  join  in 
askin<^  the  Emperor  of  Brazil,  the  King  of  Italy,  and  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Swiss  Confederation  to  appoint  each  an  arbitrator. 
The  Mixed  Commission,  consisting  of  Cliarles  Francis  Adams, 
U.  S.;  Sir  Alexaiulcr  Cockbnrn,  Great  Britain;  ex-President 
Staernpfli,  Switzerland;  Count  Sclo])is,  Italy;  and  Baron  Itajuba, 
Brazil,  meets  in  Geneva,  and  organizes  early  in  Dec.  The 
British-Amei’ican  Claims  Commission,  for  other  claims,  is  com- 
])Osed  of  Bussell  Gurney,  Great  Britain;  Judge  J.  K.  Fraser, 
IT.  S.;  and  Count  Corti,  of  Italy;  the  tribunal  adjourns  to  15 
June  next. 

3'he  Franco -Prussian  war  producing  great  destitution  in 
France,  A.  T.  Stewart  sends  a ^50,000  cargo  of  flour  from  New 
York  to  Havre  direct,  25  Feb.;  the  lb  S.  Government  offers  the 
Supply  and  the  frigate  Worcestfr  to  convey  American  contribu- 
tions; the  former  is  fitted  out  at  New  York  and  the  latter  at 
Boston,  and  both  sail  early  in  March. 

Congress  passes  a Bill  for  the  celebration  of  the  Centennial 
of  American  Independence,  3 March. 

A provision  for  a Civil  Service  Commission,  contained  in  the 
Appropriations  Bill,  is  adopted  by  Congress,  3 March,  in  accord- 
ance with  whicli  the  President  apj^oints  George  William  Curtis, 
Alex.  G.  Caltell,  Joseph  Medill,  D.  A.  Walker,  E.  B.  Ellicott, 
Joseph  H.  Blackfan,  and  David  C.  Cox  members  of  the  first 
Civil  Service  Commission. 

Great  excitement,  politically,  is  produced.  9 March,  by  the 
removal  of  Charles  Sumner  from  the  Chairmanship  of  the 
Senate  Committee  on  Foreign  Belations. 

German  residents  in  the  u.  S.  celebrate  the  victory  of  Prussia 
over  France,  by  grand  demonstrations,  10  April. 

President  Grant  approves  the  “ Ku-Klux  ” Bill,  20  April. 

3'he  new  Museum  of  Natural  History,  in  Central  Park,  New 
Y"ork,  is  opened,  27  April. 

Edwai-d  H.  Ibiloff,  an  extraordinary  philologist,  is  hanged 
for  murder,  at  Binghampton,  N.  Y.,  18  May. 

Commander  Selfridge,  U.  S.  N.,  returns  from  a surveying 
expedition  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and  reports  a feasible 
route  for  a ship  canal,  Jul3^ 

New  York  City  is  convulsed  with  an  Orange  riot,  i2  July,  in 
which  the  police  and  militia  have  several  conflicts,  attended  by 
fatal  consequences^  with  the  Irish  populace. 

I'he  boiler  of  the  Staten  Island  ferryboat  Westfield  explodes, 
30  July,  at  Wliitehall,  New  York,  causing  a large  loss  of  life. 

A mass-meeting  of  the  citizens  of  New  York  is  held,  4 Sept., 
to  consider  the  mismanagement  of  the  city  and  county  finances 
and  the  exposures  of  the  Tweed  King;  a committee  of  seventy 
eminent  citizens  is  chosen  to  invesligate  the  frauds,  and  Charles 
O’Conor  is  selected  as  legal  adviser;  indictments  are  found 
against  Mayor  Hall,WiHianbM.  Tweed,  Commissioner  of  Public 
Works,  I^eterB.  Sweeney,  Commissioner  of  Parks,  Comptroller 
Connelly,  and  others;  they  are  arrested,  26  Oct.  and  admitted 
U)  bail;  Connelly  flees  thecountiy,  and  Tweed  is  again  arrested^ 
i5  Dec.,  on  a charge  of  felony. 


231 


Bistory  of  the  United  States, 

1871.  Chicago  has  a $1  ^000^000  fire^  7 Oct.  On  Tlie  following  evening 
another  conflagration  breaks  out,  causing  a loss  of  250  lives 
and  the  destruction  of  17,500  buildings;  more  than  2000  acres  of 
space  are  burned  over,  including  the  business  part  of  the 
city;  upwards  of  98,000  are  rendered  homeless;  the  total  loss 
is  computed  at  nearly  $200,000,000;  the  whole  country  and 
many  European  cities  respond  quickly  and  nobly  to  the  cries  for 
relief. 

The  Grand  Duke  Alexis,  of  Russia,  arrives  at  New  York 
with  a fleet  of  war  vessels,  19  Nov.;  during  his  stay  in  the  U. 
S.,  he  is  the  recipient  of  extraordinary  attentions  in  official  and 
social  circles. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $202,177,188;  the  debt 
is  $2,853  211,382;  the  imports  are  $541,493,708;  and  the  exports, 
$562  518,051. 

1872.  Col.  James  Fisk,  Jr.,  is  shot  in  the  Grand  Central  Hotel  build- 

ing, New  York,  by  Edward  S.  Stokes,  4 Jan.,  and  dies  two  days 
later^  a^ed  37. 

Gov.  Warinouth,  of  La.,  in  his  message  to  the  Legislature, 
8 Jan.,  charges  enormous  frauds  upon  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives and  its  Speaker,  Col.  Carter;  the  Carter  pjarty  withdraw 
and  begin  a movement  for  the  removal  of  Gov.  Warinouth  and 
the  seizure  of  the  State  House;  the  Governor  places  all  the 
military  and  police-force  of  the  State  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Longstreet;  Carter  calls  upon  the  people  to  arm  and  rally 
at  the  Clay  statue,  11 , but  tlie  insurrection  is  checked  by  a notice 
from  Gen.  Emory,  U.  S.  A.,  tliat  he  will  interfere  in  case  of  a 
riot. 

The  Rev.  Abraham  de  Sola,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Professor  of 
Oriental  history  in  McGill  University,  Montreal,  the  first  foreign 
clergyman  ever  so  invited,  opens  the  National  House  of  Repre- 
sentahves  with  prayer,  9 Jan. 

Munitions  of  war  from  New  York  are  landed  in  Cuba  by  the 
Cuban  steamer  Hornet,  10  Jan. 

The  first  Liberal  Republican  mass-meeting  is  heldat  JefTerson 
City,  Mo.,  24  Jan. 

The  M.  Rev.  Martin  J.  Spaulding,  Roman  Catholic  Arch- 
bishop of  Baltimore  and  Primate  of  the  Chin  ch  in  America, 
dies,  7 Feb.,  aged  62 'he  is  succeeded  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  James  R. 
Bayley,  of  Newark,  J. 

A Labor  Reform  Convention  is  held  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  21 
Feb.;  Judge  David  Davis,  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  is  nom- 
inated for  President,  and  Judge  Joel  Parker,  of  N.  J.,  for  Vice- 
President;  both  of  these  gentlemen  subsequently  decline,  and 
Charles  O’Conor,  of  N.  Y.,  is  nominated  for  President,  the 
second  jflace  being  left  vacant. 

Congress  passes  a bill  creating  the  Yellowstone  Valley,  in 
Montana  and  Wyoming  Tei  ritories,  a national  park,  27  Feb. 

The  reduction  of  the  public  debt  from  1 March,  1869,  to  1 
March,  1872,  amounts  to  $363,697,000. 

President  Grant  appoints  A,  A.  Humphreys,  U.  S.  A.,  Prof. 
Beni.  Pierce,  U.  S.  Coast  Survey,  and  Capt.  Daniel  Ammen,  U. 
S.  N.,  a commission  to  examine  all  plans  and  proposals  for  an 
inter-oceanic  canal  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  March. 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1871.  Chicago  has  a $1  ^000,000  th  ( , 7 t.  On  tlie following  evening 
anolliei"conllagiativ.n  brtak;^  uvir,  causing  a loss  of  250  lives 
and  the  destruction  of  17,500 huildings;  more  than  2000 acres  of 
space  are  burned  over,  including  the  business  ];art  of  the 
city;  upwards  of  98,000  ai-e  rendered  homeless;  the  total  loss 
is  computed  at  nearly  $200,000,000;  the  whole  country  and 
many  European  cities  respond  ciuickly  and  nobly  to  the  cries  for 
relief. 

Tlie  Grand  Dulce  Alexis,  of  Kussia,  arrives  at  New  York 
with  a tieet  of  war  vessels,  19  Nov.;  during  his  stay  in  the  U. 
S.,  he  is  the  recipient  of  extraordinary  attentions  in  official  and 
social  circles. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $292,177,188;  the  debt 
is  $2,853  211,882;  the  imports  are  a&541,493,708;  and  the  exports, 
J=562  518,G51. 

1872,  Col.  James  Fisk,  Jr.,  is  shot  in  the  Grand  Centra  Hotel  build- 

ing, New  York,  by  Edward  S.  Stokes,  6 Jan.,  and  dies  two  days 
later,  aged  37. 

Gov.  Warmouth,  of  La.,  in  his  message  to  the  Legislature, 
8 Jan.,  charges  enormous  frauds  upon  the  House  of  Kepresen- 
tatives  and  its  Speaker,  Col.  Carter;  theCairer  ] arty  withdraw 
and  begin  a movement  foi*  the  l emoval  of  Gov.  Wai-mouth  and 
the  seizure  of  the  State  House;  the  Governor  places  all  the 
military  and  police-force  of  the  State  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Longstreet;  Carter  calls  upon  the  people  to  arm  and  rally 
at  tlie  Clay  statue,  11,  but  the  insurrection  is  c hecked  by  a notice 
fiom  Gen.  Emory,  U.  S.  A.,  tiiat  lie  will  inteifere  in  case  of  a 
riot, 

Tlie  Rev,  Abraham  de  Sola  D.D..  LL.D..  Professor  of 
Oriental  history  in  McGill  University  Monti  eal  the  tii  st  foreign 
clergyman  ever  so  invited,  opens  the  National  House  of  Repre- 
^ sent;. lives  with  prayer,  9 Jan. 

Munitions  of  war  fiom  New  York  are  landed  in  Cuba  by  the 
Culrsn  steamer  Hornet  10  Jan. 

first  Liberal  Republican  mass-meeting  is  held  at  Jefferson 
CJj  , Mo.,  24  Jan. 

The  M.  Rev.  Martin  J.  Spaulding,  Roman  Catholic  Arch- 
bislic-pof  Baltimore  and  Primate  of  the  Church  in  America, 
die.-,  7 Feb.,  aged  62;  he  is  succeeded  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  James  R. 
Layiey,  of  Newark,  N.  J. 

A Labor  Reform  Convention  is  held  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  21 
Feb.;  Judge  David  Davis  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  is  nom- 
inated for  President,  and  Judge  Joel  Parker,  of  N.  J.  for  Vice- 
Pi  esident;  both  of  these  gentlemen  subsequently  decline,  and 
diaries  O’Conor,  of  N.  Y.,  is  nominated  for  President,  the 
second  place  being  left  vacant. 

Congress  passes  a bill  creating  the  Yellowstone  Valley,  in 
Montana  and  Wyoming  Territories,  a national  park,  27  Feb. 

The  reduction  of  the  public  debt  from  1 March,  1869,  to  1 
March,  1872,  amounts  to  $363,697,060. 

President  Grant  appoints  A.  A.  Humphreys,  y.  S.  A.,  Prof, 
Beni.  Pierce,  U.  S.  Coast  Survey,  and  Capt.  Daniel  Ammen,  U 
S.  N.,  a commission  to  examine  all  plans  and  proposals  for^H 
Inter-oceanic  canal  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  March. 


232  History  of  the  United  States, 

1873.  The  U.  S.  Centennial  Commissioners  and  alternates  meet  In 
Philadelphia,  4 March,  and  organize  by  electing  Joseph  R. 
Hawley,  president;  Orestes  Cleveland.  A.  T.  Goshorn,  William 
M.  Byrd,  J.  D.  Creigh,  and  Robert  Lovvrey,  vice-])resident8; 
Lewis  M.  Smith,  temporary  secretary;  an  executive  committee 
and  a solicitor.  Subsequently  John  L.  Camiibell  is  chosen  per- 
manent secretary,  and  A.  T.  Goshorn,  director-general. 

An  imperial  Japanese  Embassy,  numbering  114  persons,  is 
officially  presented  to  the  President  at  the  Executive  Mansion, 

4 March. 

The  directory  of  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  is  reorganized. 
11  March,  after  a tedious  legal  fight,  and  Gen.  John  A.  Dix  ig 
elected  president  in  place  of  Jay  Gould;  a sudden  rise  in  the 
stock,  35,  gives  Wall  Street  a day  of  speculative  frenzy. 

Henry  M.  Stanley,  of  the  New  York  Herald,  having  found 
Dr,  Livingstone,  the  English  African  traveler,  alive  and  well  at 
Ujiji,  in  the  centre  of  the  continent,  takes  leave  of  him,  14 
March,  and  returns  to  London  and  New  York  with  important 
documents. 

Prof. S.F.B.Morse, “the  father  of  the  telegraph,'’  dies  in  New 
York,  3 April,  aged  80;  memorial  services  are  held  in  his  honoi 
in  the  National  House  of  Representatives,  16. 

The  remains  of  Gen.  Robert  Anderson,  the  hero  of  Fort  Sum-  - 
ter,  having  been  returned  to  the  U.  S.,  are  given  an  unostenta- 
tious funeral  in  New  York,  3 April. 

Father  Thomas  Burke,  an  eloquent  Dominican  friar,  comes 
to  the  U.  S.  early  in  April. 

The  National  Liberal  Republican  Convention  assembles  in 
Cmcinnati,  O,,  1 May;  Hon.  Carl  Schurz  is  chosen  permanent 
president;  the  platform  calls  for  civil  service  reform,  a judicious 
system  of  taxation,  and  the  speedy  resumption  of  specie 
payments;  on  the  sixth  ballot,  Horace  Greeley,  of  the  New 
York  Tribune,  is  nominated  for  President;  Gov.  B.  Gratz  Brown, 
of  Mo.,  is  elected  candidate  foi  Vice-President;  the  nomination 
of  Mr.  Greeley  being  deemed  injudicious  by  many  Republicans, 
tli«  disaffected  ones  hold  a meeting  in  New  York,  30,  and  nom- 
inate William  P.  Groesbeck,  of  Ohio,  for  President,  and  Fred- 
erick L.  Olmstead,  of  N.  Y.,  for  Vice-President. 

Niblo’s  Theatre,  in  New  York,  is  destroyed  by  fire,  6 May. 

Congress  completes  the  political  reorganization  of  the  countiy 
by  passing  an  Amnesty  Bill,  33  May;  on  the  following  day, 
for  the  first  time  since  the  winter  of  1861,  every  seat  in  Con- 
gress is  legally  occupied. 

James  Gordon  Bennett,  founder  and  proprietor  of  the  New 
York  Herald,  dies,  1 June,  aged  77. 

The  regular  National  Republican  Convention  assembles  in 
Pliiladelphia,  5 June;  Hon.  Thomas  Settle,  of  N.  C.,  is  chosen 
permanent  president;  the  platform  insists  on  the  most  coniplete 
equality  in  the  enjoyment  of  civil,  political,  and  public  rights, 
and  that  Congress  and  the  President  have  fulfilled  an  impera- 
tive duty  in  their  measures  to  suppress  the  treasonable  organi- 
zations in  the  lately  rebellious  States;  President  Grant  is  renom- 
inated by  acclamation;  and  on  the  first  ballot,  Hon.  Henry 
Wilson,  of  Mass.,  is  elected  candidate  for  Vice-Presideiit. 


233 


History  of  the  United  States. 

1873.  The  Geneva  Tribunal  reassembles,  15  June;  it  holds  its  final 
session,  14  Sep.,  when  its  decision  is  rendered,  awarding  the  U. 
S.  $15,500,000  in  liquidation  of  thQ  Alabama  claims  and  those 
arising  from  the  depredations  of  other  Anglo-Confederate  ves- 
sels. 

The  World’s  Peace  Jubilee  is  opened  in  Boston,  17  June. 

The  abolition  of  the  import  duties  on  tea  and  coffee  takes 
effect,  1 July. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  is  held  in  Baltimore,  6 
July;  Hon.  James  R.  Doolittle,  of  Wis.,  is  chosen  permanent 
president;  the  Convention  adopts  the  Liberal  Republican  plat- 
form, and  nominates  Messrs.  Greeley  and  Brown.  The  Extreme 
Democrats  hold  a convention  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  3 Sep.,  and 
nominate  Charles  O’Conor,  of  N.  Y.,  for  President,  and  John 
Quincy  Adams,  of  Mass.,  for  Vice-President;  both  candidates 
subsequently  refuse  to  serve. 

The  Cuban  war-vessel  Pioneer  is  seized  by  the  U.  S.  revenue 
cutter  Moccasin,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  20  July. 

The  25th  anniversary  of  the  pastorate  of  Henry  Ward  Bee- 
cher over  Plymouth  Chm'ch,  is  celebrated,  7 Oct. 

Hon.  William  H,  Seward  dies  at  Aubiu-n,  N.  Y.,  10  Oct., 
aged  70. 

James  Anthony  Froude,  the  English  historian,  is  received  by 
the  Lotos  Club  of  New  York,  12  Oct.  During  tlie  fall,  he 
engages  in  a series  of  historical  debates  with  Father  Thomas 
Burke. 

The  Presidential  election  takes  place,  5 Nov.;  Grant  and 
Wilson  receive  3,592,984  popular  and  300  electoral  votes,  and 
Greeley  and  Brown,  2,833,847  popular,  equal  to  74  electoral 
votes. 

Gen.  George  G.  Meade,  the  hero  of  Gettysburg,  dies,  6 Nov., 
aged  56. 

Boston  is  visited  by  a conflagration,  9 Nov.,  which  burns  over 
60  acres  of  ground,  and  destroys  property  of  an  estimated  value 
of  $75,000,000. 

Horace  Greeley  dies  in  a private  insane  retreat,  29  Nov., 
aged  61. 

Edwin  Forrest,  the  great  tragedian,  dies  in  Philadelphia,  12 
Dec.,  aged  66. 

During  the  year,  the  Government  negotiates  $200,000,000  in 
5 per  cents.,  and  redeems  $200,000,000  in  6 per  cent.  5-20s. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $277,517,962;  the 
debt  is  $2,253,251,328;  the  imports  are  $640,338,766;  and  the 
exports,  $549,219,718. 

1873.  Gen.  John  A.  Dix  is  inaugurated  Governor  of  New  York,  1 
January. 

Edward  S.  Stokes  is  sentenced  to  death  for  the  murder  of 
Col.  James  Fisk,  Jr.,  4 Jan.;  he  is  subsequently  granted  a new 
trial  and  acquitted. 

Hon.  Ward  Hunt  is  appointed  Judge  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court,  on  the  retuement  of  Judge  Nelson,  Jan. 

Gen.  Winfield  Scott  Hancock,  U.  S.  A.  is  appointed  Com* 
pmqjer  of  the  Military  Diylsiop  ©f  the  Atlantic#  v/ith  hea^ 


2'M  History  of  the  United  States. 

18*73.  quarters  at  New  York;  the  Army  and  Navy  Clul>  give  him  ft 
reception,  8 Jan. 

William  M.  Tweed  is  placed  on  trial  on  an  iinlictarMit  lor 
violation  of  duty  in  auditing  fraudulent  claims  against  the  city 
of  New  York,  8 Jan.;  the  jury  fails  to  agree,  30;  a second  trial 
opens,  13  Nov.,  and  he  is  found  guilty  on  204  counts,  10;  Judge 
Davis  sentences  him  to  12  years’  imprisonment  on  Blackwell’s 
Island  and  to  pay  a fine  of  $12,705. 

' Congress  passes  a bill  to  abolish  the  franking  privilege,  22 
Jan.,  to  take  elfect  1 July. 

Matthew  F,  Maury,  the  distinguished  nautical  observer  and 
author,  dies  at  Lexington,  Va.,  1 Feb.,  aged  G7. 

Hon.  James  L.  Orr,  of  S.  C.,  is  appointed  U.  S.  IMinister  to 
Russia,  1 Feb.;  lie  dies  at  Jiis  post,  5 April;  tlie  remains  are 
brought  to  this  country  in  the  summer. 

Gen.  James  W.  Geary,  ex-Governor  of  Penn.,  dies  at  llams- 
burg,  8 Feb. 

An  amendment  to  the  appropriation  bill,  offered  by  Mr.  B. 
F.  Butler,  providing  that  on  and  after  4 March,  the  President 
shall  receive  a salary  of  $50,000  per  annum;  the  Vice-Presi- 
Jent,  $10,000;  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court, 
$10,500;  the  Associate  Justices,  each,  $10,000;  the  Cabinet  ofii- 
cers,  each  $10,000;  the  Speaker  of  the  Hoase,  $10,000;  and 
the  Senators,  Representatives,  and  Delegates,  including  those 
of  tlie  42d  Congress,  each,  $7,500,  besides  the  actual  expense 
of  travel  from  residence  to  Washington  at  the  beginning  and  close 
of  each  session,  is  adopted  in  the  House,  24  Feb.  and  the  Sen- 
ate, 1 March. 

A political  riot  breaks  out  in  New  Orleans,  1 March,  and  the 
police  and  military  fire  upon  the  rioters  in  Jackson  Square. 

Gen.  Grant  is  again  inaugurated  President,  4 March;  he 
selects  his  second  cabinet  as  follows  : Secretary  of  State,  Ham- 
ilton Fish;  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  William  A.  Richardson; 
Secretary  of  War,  William  W.  Belknap;  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  George  M.  Robeson;  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  Colum- 
bus Delano;  Postmaster-General,  John  A.  J.  Creswe  1;  and 
Attorney  General,  George  H.  Williams. 

The  White  Star  steamer  AtlanUe  strikes  upon  Marr’s  Rock, 
off  Nova  Scotia,  at  an  early  hour,  1 April,  and  becomes  a total 
wreck;  of  the  large  number  of  passengers,  officers,  and  crew  on 
board  at  the  time,  429  are  saved  and  547  lost. 

Di  iring  a peace  talk  in  the  lava  beds  of  Oregon  between 
a number  of  Modoc  Chiefs  and  the  U.  S.  Commissioners,  11 
April,  the  Indians,  under  Captain  Jack,  suddenly  attack  the 
Comiiiissionefs,  kill  Gen.  E.  R.  S.  Canby,  U.  S.  A.,  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  1 'homas  (Commissioner),  and  seriously  wound  Commis- 
sioner M^iacham;  a military  expedition  Is  sent  against  the 
Indians  and  the  leaders  are  captured;  Captain  Jack,  Black  Jim. 
Boston  Charley,  and  Schonchin  are  hanged  at  Fort  IHamath, 
Or.,  3 Oct. 

John  Anderson,  of  New  YorK,  presents  the  island  of  Peni- 
keso,  in  Buzzard’s  Bay,  with  $50,000  in  bonds,  to  Prof.  Agas- 
siz, for  the  establisliment  oj  a ^cbool  of  natuvAil  history,  2% 


History  of  the  United  States.  235 

^873.  lion.  James  Brooks,  of  N.  Y.,  a distinguished  politician, 
traveler,  and  author,  dies,  30  April,  aged  60. 

Chief  Justice  Salmon  P.  Chase  dies  suddenly  in  New  York, 
7 May,  aged  65;  Congress  holds  funeral  ceremonies  over 
the  remains  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  11. 

Hon.  Oakes  Ames,  M.  C.  from  Mass.,  and  ‘‘father’'  of  the 
Credit  Mobilier  sensation,  dies,  8 May,  aged  69;  he  made  his 
disclosure  of  the  names  of  parties  to  whom  he  had  given  stock 
and  dividends,  before  the  Congressional  Investigating  Com- 
mittee in  Feb.  last. 

Frank  H.  Walworth  shoots  his  father,  Mansfield  Tracy  Wal- 
worth, son  of  the  famous  Chancellor,  in  New  York,  3 June,  to 
protect  his  mother  from  assault;  on  the  trial,  he  is  acquitted  of 
murder  on  the  ground  of  emotional  insanity. 

During  the  first  week  in  June,  Chicago  celebrates  the  rebuild- 
ing of  the  bmmt  part  of  the  city  in  nineteen  months. 

The  National  Rifle  Association  opens  the  Creedmore  Range, 
on  Long  Island,  21  June. 

The  Navy  Department  despatches  the  Juanita  and  Tigress  to 
' the  Arctic  Regions  to  rescue  the  survivors  of  the  Polaris  Expe- 
dition, 24  June. 

Hham  Powers,  the  American  sculpter,  of  “Greek  Slave'* 
fame,  dies  in  Florence,  Italy,  27  June,  aged  58. 

Baltimore  is  visited  by  a fire  which  burns  over  ten  acres  of 
ground,  causing  a loss  of  |500,000,  25  July. 

Rev.  Gardiner  Spring,  D.  D.,  for  43  years  pastor  of  the  Old 
Brick  (Pres.)  Church,  in  New- York,  dies,  Aug.,  aged  89. 

Shreveport,  La.,  is  scourged  by  yellow  fever  during  the  month 
of  Sep.  ' 

Jay  Cooke  & Co.,  bankers  of  New  York,  fail,  18  Sep.,  with 
heavy  liabilities;  a financial  panic  is  "precipitated;  the  New 
York  Clearing  House  is  forced  to  suspend;  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  comes  to  the  aid  of  the  banks  by  purchasing  govern- 
ment bonds;  the  presidents  of  all  the  banks  meet  in  council  to 
devise  ways  of  relief.  President  Grant  comes  to  the  city,  but 
declines  to  accede  to  the  bankers’  request  to  aid  the  banks  with 
the  Treasury  balance  of  |44,000,000;  runs  are  made  on  banks 
and  private  bankers,  and  many  strong  houses  fall  during  the 
ensuing  ten  days. 

The  Evangelical  Alliance  of  the  World,  on  the  invitation  of 
the  American  branch,  holds  a session  in  New  York,  1-12  Oct.; 
the  distinguished  foreign  delegates  are  received  by  the  Presi- 
dent, 15. 

The  Cuban  war-steamer  Yirginius^  under  command  of  Capt. 
James  Fry,  which  left  New  York  for  Cuba,  8 Oct.,  is  captured 
by  the  Spanish  steamer  Tornado y 31;  the  officers  and  175  volun- 
teers are  taken  to  Santiago  de  Cuba,  where  Gen.  W.  A.  C. 
Ryan,  Bernabe  Varona,  Pedro  Cespedes,  and  Jesus  del  Sel  are 
tried,  convicted,  and  shot  for  piracy,  4 Nov.;  Ca|>t.  Fry  and  86 
of  the  crew  are  shot,  7;  12  more  suffer  the  same  fate,  8;  and 
6T,  10;  the  news  of  the  capture  produces  great  rejoicing  in 
Havana  and  intense  indignation  in  the  U.  S.  The  Government 
puts  a strong  naval  force  into  commission,  whereupon  Spain 
i^ees  to  surrender  the  Virgmius  and  the  remainder  of 


23^  HXismry  of  the  United 

1873t  crew;  tliif^  is  done,  16  Dec.,  and  while  the  Is  bein^  oo.^ 

voye.l  to  New  York,  she  suddenly  sinks  off  North  Carolina;  I ho> 
survivors  are  given  a great  reception  by  their  compatriots  ui)OD 
their  return. 

The  French  steamship  Ville  du  Tlav  'e,  with  a large  passenger 
list  from  New  York,  collides  with  the  British  ship  I^ch  Earn^ 
23  Nov.,  and  sinking,  carries  down  226  persons. 

Prof.  Louis  J.  R.  Agassiz,  the  eminent  scientist,  dies  at  Cani' 
bridge.  Mass.,  14  Dec.,  aged  67. 

Mayor  Hall,  of  New  York,  is  acquitted  of  the  charges  against 
him , 24  Dec. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  1290,345,245;  the  debt 
is  $2,234,482,993:  the  imports  are  $663,617,147;  and  the  exports, 
$649  132,563. 

1874.  An  amejidmentto  the  appro^^riation  bill,  to  reduce  the  President’? 
salary  to  $25,000  per  annum  on  and  after  4 March,  1877,  is  lost 
in  the  Senate,  12  Jan. 

The  Communists  of  New  York  make  a red-flag  demonstra- 
tion in  Tompkins  Square,  and  are  dispersed  by  the  police,  13 
January. 

Chang  and  Eng,  the  Siamese  twins,  die  at  their  residence 
near  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  within  two  hours  of  each  other,  17  Jan., 
aged  63. 

Hon.  Morrison  R.  Waite  is  appointed  and  confirmed  Chief 
Justice  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  21  Jan. 

“Mother’’  Stewart  and  a number  of  temperance  women 
inaugurate  a remarkable  whiskey  crusade  tlu'oughout  Ohio,  1 
February. 

Prince  David  Kalakaua  is  chosen  King  of  the  Hawaiian 
Islands,  14  Feb.;  he  makes  an  American  tour,  reaching  Wash- 
ington, 12  Dec.,  and  being  presented  to  the  President,  15. 

James  Gordon  Bennett  gives  $30,000  for  the  relief  of  the 
poor  of  New  York,  and  a number  of  Bennett  Soup  Kitchens 
are  opened,  18  Feb. 

Ex- President  Millard  Fillmore  dies  at  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  8 March, 
aged  74. 

Hon.  Charles  Sumner  dies  at  his  residence  in  Washington, 
11  March,  aged  63,  after  enjoining  Senator  Hoar  not  to  let  the 
Civil  Rights  Bill  fail;  funeral  ceremonies  are  held  in  the 
National  Capitol  and  at  the  State  House,  Boston. 

A great  demonstration  of  the  U.  S.  naval  vessels  at  Key  West^ 
Fla.,  terminates  in  a laud  drill,  23  March. 

Tiie  Senate  Committee  on  Finance  reporta  bill  to  provide  for 
the  redemption  and  issue  of  U.  S.  notes,  which  Axes  the  maxi- 
mum limit  at  $382,000, 00\f,  23  March;  Senators  Conkling(N. 
Y.),  Stewart  (Nev.),  Anthony  (R.  1.),  and  Thurman  (0.),  enter 
vigorous  protests  against  any  inflation  of  the  currency;  the  bill, 
considerably  amended,  passes  by  a vote  of  29  to  24 — 19  being 
absent;  the  House  passes  it,  14  April,  by  a vote  of  140  to  102— 
48  b(;ing  absent;  the  President  vetoes  tliC  bill,  22  April,  and  the 
Senate  fails  to  pass  it  over  the  veto. 

Tlie  steamship  Eitrope^  of  the  Frencn  trans-atlantic  line,  is 
found  in  a sinking  condition  in  mid  ocean,  by  the  steamship 
Qrdece  9 Anvil  aim  nvrv  40f  nasseugerp  are  vesened^ 


237 


History  of  the  United  States. 

Jesse  Pomei’oy,  the  boy  with  the  pink  eyti,  of  Boston, 
conn  nits  his  first  known  murder,  22  April,  his  victim  being  little 
Horace  W,  Milieu, 

A political  warfare  breaks  out  in  Arkansas  between  tlie  adher- 
ents of  Joseph  Brooks,  who  claims  to  have  received  the  largest 
nmnber  of  votes  in  the  gubernatorial  election,  and  Joseph 
Baxter,  who  has  taken  possession  of  the  office;  each  leader 
musters  an  armed  force  to  maintain  his  claim,  and  several  fatal 
skirmishes  occur,  April. 

Henri  Rochefort,  the  French  Communist,  who  escaped  from 
the  penal  settlement  of  New  Caledonia,  rviu  hes  the  IT.  S.  in 
May;  he  delivers  his  first  public  lecture,  in  New  York,  5 June. 

The  dam  of  the  large  reseiwoir  on  Mill  Rivei-,  Mass.,  suddenly 
breaks,  16  May,  and  a tremendous  body  of  water  dashes 
in  a destructive  flood  down  the  valley;  the  manufacturing  vil- 
lages of  Williamsburgh,  Skinnerville,  Haydenville,  and  Leeds 
are  destroyed,  and  nearly  200  lives  lost. 

President  Grant  lays  tlie  corner-stone  of  the  new  building  of 
the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  in  Central  Park,  N. 
Y.,  2 June. 

J'he  corner-stone  of  the  new  Post-office  and  Custom  House 
building  in  Chicago  is  laid,  24  June. 

Little  Charley  Ross  is  mysteriously  abducted  from  his  father’s 
residence  in  Germantown,  Penn.,  1 July;  his  father  spends  a 
large  fortune  searching  for  the  missing  boy,  but  never  learns  cf 
liis  fate. 

A fire  breaks  out  in  Chicago,  14  July,  and  before  it  is  checked 
it  destroys  over  1000  buildings,  including  4 hotels,  6 churches, 
and  7 public  buildings,  among  which  are  the  Post-office,  the 
Fine  Art  Institute,  Aiken’s  Theatre,  a school-house,  freight 
depot,  and  a savings  bank;  the  loss  is  estimated  at  |4, 000,000. 

The  shore  end  of  a new  Atlantic  cable  is  landed  at  Rye 
Beach,  N.  H.,  15  July. 

A terrible  rain-storm  sweeps  over  the  hills  around  Pittsburg 
and  Allegheny  City,  Penn.,  26  July,  destroying  several  hun- 
dred houses,  and  causing  a loss  of  150  lives;  the  damages  are 
estimated  at  |900,000. 

Plymouth  Church,  Brooklyn,  appoints  a committee  to  inves- 
tigate the  charges  preferred  by  Theodore  Tilton  against  Henry 
Ward  Beecher,  of  having  seduced  Mrs,  Tilton.  Mr.  Tilton 
reads  a sworn  statement,  detailing  his  charges  and  specifying 
the  actions  of  Mrs.  Tilton  and  Mr.  Beecher  d^uring  the  past  two 
years,  before  the  committee,  28  July;  on  the  following  day j 
Mr.  Beecher  declares  Mrs.  Tilton’s  innocence,  and  Mrs.  Tilton 
makes  a statement  in  her  own  defence.  William  J.  Gaynor 
causes  the  arrest  of  IMr.  Tilton  on  a chame  of  having  libeled 
Mr.  Beecher,  but  the  suit  is  not  pressed.  Mr.  Beecher  makes  an 
elaborate  statement  to  his  congregation,  14  Aug.,  denying  all 
charges  of  immorality;  Mr.  and  Mi's.  Tilton  are  subjected  to 
severe  cross-examination  by  the  committee;  and,  at  the  joint 
request  of  Mr.  Tilton  and  Mr.  Beecher,  Mr.  Francis  D.  Moulton, 
a mutual  friend  and  the  custodian  of  many  letters  bearing  upon 
the  trouble,  also  appears  before  it.  The  committee  announces 
results  of  its  investigations  at  the  weekly  prayer-meeting  of 


History  of  the  United  States. 

£874  the  cliurch,  28  Aug.  Mr.  i3(3echer  is  acquitted  of  the  charge, 
and  Mr.  Moulton  is  so  strongly  denounced  that  the  police  liave 
to  protect  him  from  assaults  by  Mr.  Beeclier’s  friends  on  leav- 
ing the  building.  In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Tilton  institut(;s  a civil 
suit  against  Mr.  Beecher  for  $100,000  damages,  his  summons 
being  issued  10  Aug.  The  cause  is  delayed  from  we(;k  to  vveet 
until,  on  17  Oct.,  Judge  Neilson  grants  an  order  for  the  idaintifl 
to  furnish  a bill  of  particulars;  this  leads  to  further  comi)lica- 
tions  and  ai)i)cals,  in  which  William  M.  Evarts  appears  for  M . 
Beecher,  and  Gen.  Roger  A.  7*ryor  for  Mr.  Tilton.  The  Court 
of  Api>cals  reverses  the  decision  of  the  General  Term,  so  fa*  as 
to  assert  the  power  of  the  court  to  grant  the  bill  of  ])ai'ticulars, 
7 Dec.,  when  a new  motion  for  the  bill  is  made  and  grajited 

An  immense  number  of  the  citizens  of  N(;w  Oi'leansassea  : 
around  the  Clay  statue,  14  Sep.;  a committee  is  appointed 
request  Gov.  Kellogg  to  abdicate;  upon  his  refusal,  the  V^hite 
League  troops  are  j)Osted  about  the  city,  and  the  metropolitan 
police  and  the  State  troops  are  marched  into  line  of  battle’  rdit* 
White  Leaguers  attack  the  police,  driving  them  througi*  .he 
Custom  House,  in  which  Gov.  Kellogg,  Collector  Casey^  'ind 
other  officei  s have  taken  refuge*  on  the  following  morning,  uie 
White  League  pickets  find  the  Capitol  abandoned  and  take  pos- 
session. dll  orders  from  Washington,  Gen.  Emory,  U.  o. 
takes  possession  of  all  the  captured  i>roperty,  and  notifies  C.  jv* 
Kellogg,  18,  that  he  is  prepared  to  restore  him  to  his  office. 

A fire  breaks  out  at  Granite  Mill  No.  1,  at  Fall  River,  Mass., 
19  Sep.,  at  an  hour  when  there  are  over  400  women  and  chil- 
dren, besides  the  male  operatives,  in  the  building;  an  intense 
panic  follows  the  discovery  of  the  flames;  the  elevator  refuses 
to  work,  and  the  operatives  are  forced  to  jump  from  the  fourth 
and  fifth  story  windows;  40  persons  lose  their  lives  and  80  are 
more  or  less  severely  injured. 

The  Lincoln  monument  at  Springfield,  111.,  is  dedicated,  15 
Oct.,  and  the  remains  of  the  President  are  placed  in  a new  case 
anil  deposited  in  the  crypt. 

The  first  baloon  wedding  on  record  takes  place  above  Cin- 
cinnati, 19  Oct.,  when  the  Rev.  H B.  Jeffries  marries  Miss  Mary 
Walsh  and  Mr.  Charles  M.  Colton. 

The  centennial  of  the  burning  of  the  Peggy  Stewart.,  with  a 
cargo  of  2320  pounds  of  tea,  in  the  harbor  of  Annapolis,  Md,^ 
is  celebrated,  19  Oct. 

John  D.  Lee,  the  leader  of  the  Mormons  in  the  Mountain 
Meadow  massacre,  in  1857,  is  captured,  1 Nov.;  he  is  lodged  in 
jail  at  Beaver,  Utah,  and  indicted  for  murder. 

Hon.  Ezra  Cornell,  founder  of  Cornell  University,  at  Ithaca, 
N.  Y.  (cost  $700,000),  dies,  9 Dec.,  aged  67. 

James  Lick,  of  San  Francisco,  deeds  his  immense  estate  to  a 
board  of  trustees,  and  charges  them  to  devote  $700,000  to  the 
erection  of  an  observatory;  $300,000  to  found  and  endow  the 
California  School  of  Mechanical  Arts;  $250,000  to  the  erection 
of  a group  of  bronze  statuary,  representing  tlie  history  of  the 
State;  $100,000  to  the  building  of  an  Old  Ladies’  Home  in  San 
Fi-anc.isco;  $150,000  to  the  building  and  maintenance  of  free 
baths;  $150,000  to  the  erection  of  a bronze  monument  to  Key^, 


239 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1874,  the  author  of  the  Star  Spangled  Banner;  ’’  $25,000  in  gold  to 
the  Protestant  Orphan  Home,  San  Francisco;  $25,000  to  found 
an  Orphan  Home  in  San  Jose ; and  $10,000  to  the  purchase  of 
scientific  works  for  the  Mechanics’  Institute,  San  Francisco. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $287,138,873;  the  debt 
is  $2,251,690,468;  the  imports  are  5 595,861,248;  and  the  exports, 
$693,039,054. 

1875.  The  case  of  Theodore  Tilton  against  Henry  Ward  Beecher  is 

called  before  Judge  Neilson  in  the  City  Court,  Brooklyn,  N.Y., 
4 Jan.  Gen.  Koger  A.  Pryor,  ex-Judge  Fullerton,  William  A. 
Beach,  and  S.  D.  Morris  appear  as  counsel  for  Mr.  Tilton;  and 
Hon.  William  M.  Evarts,  Gen.  B.  F.  Tracey,  and  Thomas  G. 
Shearman  for  Mr.  Beecher;  the  opening  address  for  the  plain- 
tiff is  made,  11,  and  the  first  witness  is  called,  13.  Mr.  Tilton 
takes  the  stand,  29,  when  Mr.  Evarts  objects  to  his  being  sworn. 
Several  days  are  spent  in  arguing  the  question;  the  comt  decides 
hi  the  plaintiff’s  favor,  and  the  examination  begins,  2 Feb.  Mr. 
Tilton’s  testimony  is  completed,  17;  the  case  for  the  defence  is 
opened,  25,  and  the  first  witness  is  called,  2 March;  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  investigating  committee  are  called  as  wit- 
nesses, 29;  Mr.  Beecher  takes  the  stand,  1 April,  and  declines 
to  swear  on  the  bible;  his  direct  examination  is  closed,  13,  and 
the  cross-examination  opened;  he  leaves  the  stand,  21,  the  re- 
direct closing  at  recess;  the  defense  rests,  30;  the  rebuttal  testi- 
mony is  then  taken;  Mr.  Tilton  again  takes  the  stand,  11  May, 
and  denies  all  the  testimony  in  defense;  the  taking  of  evidence 
closes,  13;  the  total  number  of  witnesses  examined  is  111,  and 
the  time  consumed  in  the  examinations  aggregates  four  and  a 
half  months;  Mr.  Evarts  occupies  eight  days  in  summing  up, 
and  other  counsel  for  the  defense  six  more;  Mr.  Beach  occupies 
nine  days  in  his  argument  for  the  plaintiff;  Judge  Neilson 
charges  the  jury,  24  June;  after  a consultation  of  eight  days, 
the  jury  come  in  and  report  that  they  are  unable  to  agree  upon 
a verdict,  2 July. 

The  State  House  at  New  Orleans  is  guarded  by  police  early 
in  the  morning  of  4 Jan.,  the  day  appointed  for  the  opening  of 
the  Louisiana  Legislature.  The  Democrats  charge  frauds  upon 
^ the  Keturning  Board,  and  the  Republicans  charge  intimidation 
■ upon  the  Democrats;  Mr.  Wiltz  is  chosen  chairman,  against 
the  protests  of  the  Republicans,  wdio  attempt  to  withdraw,  but 
are  prevented;  in  the  afternoon,  Gen.  De  I'robriand  enters  the 
House  with  U.  S.  troops,  and  Mr.  Wiltz  and  several  Members, 
wiio  are  claimed  to  have  been  irregularly  seated,  are  taken  into 
custody  and  marched  out  of  the  Hall;  the  Democratic  Members 
then  withdraw  and  the  Republicans  proceed  to  effect  an  organ- 
ization; in  the  meantime,  a second  Congressional  Committee, 
consisting  of  George  F.  Hoar,  William  A.  Wheeler,  William 
P.  Frye,  and  Samuel  P.  Marsliall,  is  sent  to  New^  Orleans,  2 
Jan.  Mr.  Wheeler  proposes  a plan  for  adjustingthe  difficulties, 
to  the  effect  that  the  Assembly  will  not  disturb  the  State  Govern- 
ment, but  accord  Gov.  Kellogg  all  legitimate  support,  and  that 
the  House  as  constituted  on  the  award  of  the  committee  shall 
not  be  changed;  the  plan  is  accepted,  twelve  Members  excluded 
by  the  Returning  Board  are  admitted,  a conservative  Speaker 


240  History  of  the  United  Slates, 

1875.  Is  chosen,  and  both  branches  of  the  Le^yislature  proceed  to  work. 

Samuel  J.  Tilden  is  inau;^urated  Governor  of  N(i\v  York,  and 
pledges  liimself  to  an  administration  of  reform,  Ja’i. 

Senator  Sherman’s  Bill  providing  for  the  resumption  of  SjK*cie 
payments  on  1 Jan.,  1879,  is  passed  in  both  Houses,  and  aj)- 
proved  by  the  President,  14  Jan. 

William  11.  Aspinwall  dies  in  New  York,  18  Jan.,  aged  07. 

Ex-President  Andrew  Johnson  is  elected  LJ.  S.  Senator  from 
Tenn.,  Jan.,  and  dies,  31  July,  aged  07. 

ddie  first  train  passes  through  the  lloosac  Tunnel,  Mass., 
9 Feb. 

Congress  authorizes  the  Improvement  of  the  passes  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi  under  the  direction  of  James  B.  Eads, 
at  a cost  of  $5,200  000. 

A civil  suit  is  begun  against  William  M.  Tweed  in  New  York, 
to  recover  $0,198,950,  April;  he  is  discharged  from  his  cinmla- 
tive  sentence,  22  June,  and  immediately  re-arre^sted  and  held 
to  bail  in  $15,000  on  a criminal  suit  and  in  $3,000,000  on  the 
civil  suit;  he  escapes  from  the  ofhcers  of  the  Ludlow-Street  Jail, 

de  on  a visit  to  his  house,  4 Dec. 

^-achbishop  John  McCloskey  is  invested  with  the  berretta  of 
a Cardinal  of  the  Boman  Catholic  Church,  in  St.  Patrick’s 
Cathedral,  New  York,  27  April. 

The  various  olHcials  of  Baltimore  take  possession  of  the  new 
City  Hall,  12  April. 

Prof.  S.  K.  Wells,  the  phrenologist,  of  New  York,  dies,  13 
April,  aged  55. 

Oshkosh,  Wis.,  is  destroyed  by  fire,  28  April. 

Hon.  George  S.  Batcheller,  of  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  is  appointed 
Presiding  Judge  of  the  new  Supreme  Coui't  of  Egypt,  Aindl. 

The  railway  bridge  at  Portage  Falls,  N.Y.,  the  longest  wooden 
viaduct  in  the  world,  is  destroyed  by  fire,  5 May. 

The  Masonic  Temple  in  New  York  is  dedicated,  2 June. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  receives  the  pallium  of  an 
Archbishop  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  at  the  Cathedral  of 
St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul,  17  June, 

An  American  team,  consisting  of  Col.  H.  A.  Gildersleeve, 
Col.  John  Bodine,  Maj^or  Henry  Fulton,  Gen.  T.  S.  Dakiti. 
George  W.  Yale,  and  R.  C.  Coleman,  win  the  International 
Rifle-match  at  Dollymount,  Ireland,  29  June. 

Hon.  Horace  Binney,  tlie  oldest  lawyer  and  the  oldest  college 
graduate  in  the  U.  S.,  dies  at  Philadelphia,  12  Aug.,  aged  80. 

The  Bank  of  California,  at  San  Francisco,  sus])ends,  26  Aug.; 
on  the  following  day,  the  Gold  and  Merchants’  Banks  sus!)end, 
and  William  C.  Ralston,  President  of  the  Bank  of  California, 
and  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  popular  citizens  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, commits  suicide  by  drowning. 

The  old  i)ost-oiflce  in  New  York  is  grotesquely  vacated,  28 
Aug.,  and  the  mail-matter  and  archives  are  transferred  to  the 
new  structure. 

Samuel  D.  Tillman,  Ph.  D.,  LL.D.,  dies  in  New  Yorl , 4 Sep., 
aged  62. 

Com.  Perry’s  flag-ship,  the  Lawrence,  is  raised  from  the  bot- 
tom of  Lake  Erie,  where  it  had  lain  for  over  60  years,  14  Sep. 


The  Attack  oy  Fort  Doaelsox. 


The  Battle  of  Missioxary  Kiuge, 


241 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1875.  The  U.  S.  S.  Swatara  leaves  the  Brooklyn  Navy-yard,  80 
Oct.,  for  Para,  Brazil,  to  bring  hack  ex-Confederate  refugees. 

The  steamship  Pacific,  plying  between  San  Francisco  and 
Portland,  Or.,  founders,  4 Nov.,  causing  a loss  of  200  lives. 

Hon.  Henry  Wilson,  Vice-President  of  the  U.  S.,  dies  at 
Washington,  D.  C.,  22  Nov.,  aged  62;  funeral  services  are  held 
in  the  rotunda  of  the  National  Cap^ol  and  at  Natick,  Mass. 
Hon.  Thomas  W.  Ferry,  of  Mich.,  President  pro  tern  of  the 
Senate,  becomes  Acting  Vice-President. 

William  B.  Astor  dies  in  New  York,  24  Nov.,  aged  83. 

Hon.  M.  C.  Kerr,  democrat,  is  elected  Speaker  of  the  House 
at  the  opening  of  the  43d  Congress,  6 Dec. 

Hon.  Benjamin  H.  Bristow,  having  been  appointed  to  succeed 
Mr.  Richardson,  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  institutes  a 
determined  war  on  the  frauds  which  have  robbed  the  Govern- 
ment of  an  immense  amount  of  revenue . His  disclosures  of 
the  whiskey  frauds  in  the  west,  which  have  cost  the  Govern- 
ment a loss  in  taxes  of  |1, 650, 000  in  ten  months  produces  a great 
sensation;  John  A.  Joyce,  Special  Revenui^  Agent  at  St.  Louis, 
and  John  MacDonald,  Supervisor  of  Internal  Revenue  there, 
are  convicted  and  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary,  and  Chief 
Clerk  Avery,  of  the  Treasury  Department,  and  Gen.  O.E.  Bab- 
cock, the  President's  private  secretary,  are  indicted  for  com- 
plicity, the  former  being  convicted,  Dec. 

The  centennial  anniversaiies  of  the  early  events  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  are  appropriately  observed  during  the  year  as 
they  occur. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $274,623,392;  the  debt 
is  $2,180,395,067;  the  imports  are  $553,906,153;  and  the  exports, 
$643,094,767. 

1876.  Dr.  Samuel  G.  Howe  surgeon-general  of  the  fleet  in  the  Greek 

insurrection,  a San  Domingo  Commissioner  and  philanthropist, 
dies  at  South  Boston,  9 Jan.,  aged  75. 

Rev.  and  Hon.  E.  D.  Winslow,  of  Boston,  is  discovered  to 
have  committed  extensive  forgeries,  24  Jan.;  he  flees  the  coun- 
try, is  arrested  in  England,  and  after  a long  correspondence 
between  the  U.  S.  and  English  Governments,  he  is  released. 

Gen.  O.  E.  Babcock,  the  President’s  jmvate  secretary,  is 
placed  on  trial  at  St.  Louis,  for  complicity  in  the  great  whiskey 
frauds,  7 Feb.,  and  is  acquitted. 

Hon.  Reverdy  Johnson,  ex-U.  S.  Minister  to  England,  dies 
suddenly  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  9 Feb.,  aged  79. 

The  Old  Oak  on  Boston  Common  is  blown  down  in  a gale,  15 
February. 

An  Advisory  Council  of  Congregational  Churches  meets  in 
Plymouth  Church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  16  Feb.,  to  settle  points  of 
difference  in  church  polity,  arising  from  the  course  of  Mr.  Bee- 
njher’s  congr^ation. 

Charlotte  Cushman,  the  tragedienne,  dies  at  Boston,  18  Feb., 
aged  50. 

The  House  of  Representatives  Committee  on  Expenditures  in 
the  War  Department,  having  had  its  attention  directed  to 
alleged  abuses  in  the  management  of  the  post-tradership  at 
Fort  Sill,  I.  T.,  compels  the  attendance  of  Caleb  P.  Marsh|  of 


242  Ilislory  of  Iho  United  Slates. 

1876.  New  York,  who  had  received  the  appointment  in  1870;  he 
acknowledges  the  regular  payments  of  money  to  Gen.  lielknap, 
the  Secretary  of  War,  in  consideration  of  the  appointment.  The 
Committee  summons  the  Secretary  before  it,  1 March,  when  he 
confesses  the  truth  of  the  statements;  iie  personally  tenders 
his  resignation  to  the  President,  2 March,  and  it  is  immediately 
accepted.  The  same  day  the  Committee  ask  the  House  for  his 
impeachment,  and  a Committee  is  accordin^'^ly  appointed  and 
the  Senate  notified.  'I’he  Secretary  is  arrested  and  released  in 
$25,000  bail,  8 March;  he  is  tided  by  the  Senate  on  the  House 
charges  and  his  own  confession,  and  acquitted  by  a vote  of  35 
to  25,  1 Aug. 

Hon.  Itichard  H.  Dana,  Jr.,  of  Mass.,  is  nominated  for  U.  S. 
Minister  to  England,  in  place  of  Gen.  It.  C.  Schenck,  resigned, 

6 March;  the  Senate  rejects  tlie  nomination,  4 April. 

Hon.  Alphonso  Taft,  of  Ohio,  is  aiipointed  Secretary  of  WaPj 

7 March. 

Sister  Harriet,  the  Mother  Superior  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Order  of  All  Saints  in  the  U.  S.,  dies  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  12 
March. 

Hon.  A.  0.  P.  Nicholson,  Chief  Justice  of  Tennessee,  dies  at 
Columbia,  22  March,  aged  68. 

Alexander  T.  Stewart,  the  millionaire  merchant  of  NewYork, 
dies,  10  April,  aged  78;  the  reinains  are  interred  in  a vault  in 
St.  Mark’s  churchyard,  on  Second  Avenue,  13;  his  will,  which 
bequeaths  all  his  property  to  his  widow,  excepting  $1,000,000 
given  to  Judge  Henry  Hilton  and  various  sums  nominated  for 
his  most  faithful  employes,  is  contested  by  James  Bailey,  claim 
ing  to  be  a cousin,  June,  but  is  subsequently  probated, 

Dom  Pedro  II.,  Emperor  of  Brazil,  accompanied  by  the  Em* 
press  Theresa,  arrives  in  New  York,  15  April;  they  are  pre- 
sented to  the  President,  7 May,  and,  declining  national  atten- 
tions due  their  rank,  they  make  a rapid  and  extended  tom'  of 
the  country  as  private  personages,  and  embark  for  Liverpool, 
12  July. 

President  Grant  vetoes  a bill  to  reduce  his  salary  to  $25,000, 
18  April.  ♦ 

The  Centennial  Exhibition,  in  Pairmount  Park,  Philadel- 
phia, is  officially  opened,  10  May;  Theodore  Thomas’s  famous 
orchestra  leads  the  ceremonies;  Bishop  Simpson,  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  offers  a prayer;  the  President  of  the  Board 
of  Finance  formally  presents  the  buildings  to  the  U.  S.  Cen- 
tennial Commission,  by  whose  President,  after  the  singing  of 
Sidney  Lanier’s  Cantata,  they  are  presented  to  the  President  of 
the  U.  S.,  who  declares  the  exhibition  opened.  President  Grant 
and  the  Emperor  of  Brazil  then  start  the  gigantic  Corliss  engine, 
and  all  the  machinery  in  the  vast  place  moves.  The  buildings 
cover  a space  of  75  acres,  and  aggregate  190  in  number, 
including  the  five  grand  structures  and  the  buildings  of  the 
States  and  d'erritories  and  foreign  nations,  representing  a cost 
of  $4,444,000,  of  which  $1,500,000  were  loaned  by  the  U.  S. 
Government.  The  Exhibition  closes  10  Nov.;  it  has  been  visited 
by  9,786,151  persons,  of  whom  7,897,789  paid  $3,761,607;  the 


243 


History  of  the  United;  estates. 

1876.  largest  attendance  on  any  day  was  on  28  Sept.,  when  274,919 
persons  passed  the  gates. 

The  Prohibition  Keform  Party  hold  a convention  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  17  May,  and  nominate  Gen.  Green  Clay  Smith,  of 
Ky.,  for  President. 

A National  Greenback  Convention  is  held  at  Indianapolis, 
Ind.,  18  May;  Peter  Cooper,  of  N.  Y.,  is  nominated  for  Presi- 
dent, and  U.  S.  Senator  Booth,  of  Cal.,  for  Vice-President;  the 
latter  declines,  and  Samuel  F.  Cary,  of  Ohio,  is  substituted. 

Most  Kev.  James  B.  Purcell,  Koman  Catholic  Archbishop  of 
Cincinnati,  celebrates  his  golden  jubilee,  21  May. 

Edward  Dubufe's  celebrated  painting  of  the  “ Prodigal  Son,^^ 
valued  at  $100,000,  is  destroyed  at  the  burning  of  Melodeon 
Hall,  Cincinnati,  26  May. 

Hon.  J.  Donald  Cameron  is  sworn  in  as  Secretaiy  of  War, 
and  ex-Secretary  Taft  as  Attorney-General,  1 June. 

Hon.  Edward  F.  Beale  is  confirmed  as  U.  S.  Minister  to  Aus- 
tria, 1 June. 

The  Grand  Commandery  of  the  U.  S.  Knights  Templar  make 
a great  procession  in  Philadelphia,  1 June. 

Kev.  William  A.  Stearns,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  President  of  Amherst 
College,  dies  suddenly,  8 June,  aged  71. 

Com.  Vanderbilt  makes  an  additional  gift  of  $300,000  to  the 
trustees  of  the  Vanderbilt  University,  in  Tennessee,  bringing  his 
total  donations  up  to  $1,000,000  for  buildings  and  endowments, 
13  June. 

The  Kepublican  National  Convention  assembles  at  Cincin- 
nati, 14  June;  Marshall  Jewell,  Conn.,  O.  P.  Morton,  Ind., 
Benj.  H.  Bristow,  Ky.,  James  G.  Blaine,  Me.,  Koscoe  Conkling, 
N.  Y.,  Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  Ohio,  and  John  F.  Hartraufi, 
Penn.,  are  nominated  as  candidates  for  the  Presidential  nomi- 
nation. The  first  ballot  shows  a strong  preference  for  Mr. 
Blaine;  but  on  the  seventh,  the  Convention  compromises  on  the 
least  known  of  the  candidates,  Mr.Hayes,  giving  him  384  votes, 
and  then  unanimously  elects  him.  Hon.  William  A.  Wheeler, 
of  N.  Y.,  is  nominated  for  Vice-President. 

Discovering  that  official  secrets  concerning  prosecutions  on 
account  of  revenue  frauds  have  been  communicated  to  impli- 
cated parties,  Gen.  Bristow  resigns  his  position  as  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  17  Jure. 

A determined  wrirfare  against  the  Sioux  Indians  is  begun 
early  in  June;  Gen.  Crook  atLa(.ks  them  on  Rosebud  River,  17; 
a camp  of  2000  lodges  on  the  Little  Horn  is  attacked,  25,  when 
Gen.  Custer,  his  two  brothers,  a nephew,  and  brother-in-law, 
with  305  officers  and  men  are  killed.  Gen.  MacKenzie  sur- 
rounds the  camp  of  Red  Cloud  and  Red  Leaf,  capturing  the 
whole  force  without  a shot,  23  Oct.  * the  next  day,  Gen.  Crook 
assembles  the  Indians  at  the  Red  Cloud  agency,  deposes  Red 
Cloud,  and  proclaims  Spotted  J'ail  chief  of  ail  the  Sioux.  Gen. 
MacKenzie  captures  a hostile  Cheyenne  village  of  200  lodges, 
with  500  warriors,  25  Nov. 

William  Cullen  Br}  ant  is  presented  with  a memorial  vase  of 
hammered  silver,  valued  at  $5,000,  by  his  friends,  m New  York^ 
20  Juiie. 


^44 

1876. 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

A.  II.  Wyman  is  iiomiaatCvl  and  confirmed  as  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  20, 29  June. 

The  Democratic  National  Convention  meets  in  St.  Louis,  28 
June,  and  organizes  by  electing  lion.  John  A.  MitChn-nand  per- 
manent president;  Messrs.  Samuel  J.  Tilden,  N.  Y.;  Thomas 
F.  Bayard,  Del.;  William  S.  Allen,  Ohio;  Judge  Joel  l^irk(;r, 
N.  J.;  and  Gen.  W.  S.  Hancock,  U.  S.  A.,  ar(3  proposcul  for  the 
Presidential  nomination;  on  tire  tii'st  ballot.  Mi’.  Tild«m  rec<‘ivrs 
403  votes  in  a bital  of  817,  and  before  the  result  of  tlie  s(;co;i'! 
ballot  is  announced,  his  nomination  is  ma  le  unanimous.  Hon. 
Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  of  In(l.,is  nominated  for  Vice-President. 

William  M.  Tweed,  after  his  escape  from  the  officers  in  New 
York,  goes  to  Cuba,  and  sails  thence  in  the  Carmen,  for  Vigo, 
Spain,  27  July;  on  entering  the  harbor  of  Vigo,  the  Carmen  is 
boarded  by  the  Governor,  G Se}).,  and  Tweed  is  arrested;  the 
Spanish  Government  agrees  to  return  him  to  the  U.  S.  without 
the  usual  formalities,  and  he  sails  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Fra,nkUn,X\\{m 
homeward  bound,  26;  he  arrives  in  New  York,  23  Nov.,  and  is 
at  once  lodged  in  jail:  in  tiie  meantime.  Sheriff  Brennan  is  pun- 
ished for  neglect  in  i)ermitting  the  escai)e. 

An  extraordinaiy  illumination  and  midnight  torcnlight  pro- 
cession take  place  in  New  York,  3-4  July. 

Colorado  is  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a State,  4 July;  John 
L.  Koutt,  its  first  Territorial  Governor,  is  elected  first  Governor 
of  the  State,  Oct. 

Gen.  Green  B.  Raum  is  appointed  Commissioner  of  Internal 
Revenue,  26  July. 

The  New  Yoi*k  yacht  Madeleine  wins  the  first  of  three  races 
for  the  America’s  Cup  with  the  Canadian  yacht  Counfess  of 
Bufferin,  11  Aug.,  by  ten  minutes,  and  the  second,  12,  by  27 
minutes. 

The  Secretary  of  War,  upon  the  order  of  tlie  President, 
instructs  Gen.  Sherman  to  dispose  of  the  available  troops  in 
such  a manner  as  to  prevent  and  punish  fraud  at  the  polls  on 
election  day,  15  Aug. 

Hon.  M.  C.  Kerr,  Speaker  of  the  National  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, dies  at  Rockbridge  Springs,  Va.,  19  Aug.,  aged  49. 

A bronze  statue  of  Lafayette,  the  gift  of  the  French  Republic; 
is  unveiled  in  New  York,  (>  Sep. 

Hon.  Henry  A.  Wise,  ex-Governor  of  Va.,  dies  at  Richmond, 
12  Sep. , aged  70. 

Rev.  Edmund  S.  Janes,  D.  D.,  senior  and  presiding  Bishop 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  dies  in  New  York,  18  Sep.,  aged  69. 

Gen.  John  Newton,  U.  S.  A.,  blows  up  the  Hallet’s  Point 
obstructions  in  Hell  Gate,  N.  Y.,  24  Sep. 

James  Lick,  the  California  millionaire,  dies  in  San  Francisco, 
1 Oct.,  aged  80. 

The  first  cremation  furnace  in  the  U.  S.,  is  completed  at 
Washington,  P(inn.,  1 Oct.;  the  body  of  Baron  De  Palm  is  the 
first  one  cremated,  6 Dec. 

The  President  declares  S.  Carolina  to  be  in  a state  of  insur- 
rection, and  orders  troops  sent  there  to  preserve  the  peace  at  tk^ 
elections,  17  OcL 


History  of  the  United  States. 


245 


1876.  'ITie  State  and  National  elections  are  the  most  exciting  of  any 
ever  held.  Federal  troops  are  plentifully  scattered  throughout 
the  Southern  States,  and  strong  forces  are  congregated  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  and  in  New  York  City.  In  S.  Carolina,  Gen. 
Wade  Hampton,  Democrat,  and  Daniel  H.  Chamberlain, 
Kepublican,  are  declared  elected  Governor  and  both  are  sworn 
in  as  such;  the  State  has  a dual  Legislature,  with  two  Speakers 
trying  to  preside  at  the  same  time,  and  the  membei-s  of  its 
Returnii^  Board  are  arrested  and  committed  to  the  Columbia 
jail.  In  Louisiana,  both  political  parties  invite  prominent  gen- 
tlemen of  the  North,  and  the  President  sends  a committee  to 
witness  the  counting  of  the  votes  by  the  Returning  Board;  while 
another  Presidential  Committee  is  appointed  for  a like  service 
in  Florida.  The  popular  vote  in  the  Presidential  election,  7 Nov., 
according  to  the  official  returns,  is:  Tilden,  4,284,265;  Hayes, 
4,033,295;  Cooper,  81,737;  Smith,  9,522;  giving  Mr.  Tilden  a 
l^opular  majority  over  all  others  of  157,397  votes.  The  Return- 
ing Boards  give  Mr.  Hayes  185  electoral  votes  and  Mr.  Tilden 
184;  the  votes  of  Florida,  Louisiana,  and  S.  Carolina,  given  to 
the  Republicans,  are  disputed  by  the  Democrats.  The  year  clos('s 
on  the  greatest  political  tension  ever  known  in  the  country, with 
the  leaders  of  both  parties  urging  forbearance. 

Congress  meets,  4 Dec.;  Hon.  Samuel  J.  Randall,  Penn.,  is 
elected  Speaker  of  the  House  over  Hon.  James  G.  Blaine;  a 
number  of  bills  proposing  a more  satisfactory  method  of  count- 
ing the  electoral  votes  for  President  and  Vice-President  are  in- 
troduced in  both  Houses,  but  there  is  an  avei  sion  to  action  until 
the  Visiting  Committees  return  from  the  South  and  report. 

During  a performance  of  “ The  Two  Orphans  ” in  the  Brook- 
lyn (N.Y.)  Theatre,  5 Dec.,  afire  breaks  out  on  the  stage;  a 
terrific  panic  is  created;  the  building  is  entirely  destroy^ed,  and 
over  300  persons  lose  their  lives  by  burning,  suffocation,  or  being 
crushed  in  the  stampede  ; the  remains  of  100  unrecognized  bodies 
are  buried  in  one  large  grave  in  Greenwood  Cemetery. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $258,459,797;  the  debt 
is  $2,180,395,067;  the  imports  are  $476,677,871;  and  the  exports, 
$644,956,406. 

1877.  Commodore  Cornelius  Vanderbilt  dies  at  his  residence  in  New 

York,  4 Jan.,  aged  82;  he  wills  five  of  his  daughters  $2,500,000 
each  in  railroad  bonds,  and,  after  providing  for  his  other  chil- 
dren and  a number  of  old  friends,  bequeaths  the  remainder  of 
his  great  fortune— which  is  said  to  aggregate  $100,000,000— to 
his  son,  William  H.  Mrs.  La  Bau,  one  of  his  daughters,  in 
behalf  of  Cornelius,  a brother,  begins  proceedings  to  set  aside 
the  will,  before  the  Surrogate,  14  Nov. 

Messrs.  Nicholls  (Dem.)  and  Packard  (Rep.)  are  each  iuan- 
gurated  Governor  of  Louisiana,  at  New  Orleans,  8 Jan.;  the 
Democrats  gain  possession  of  all  the  public  buildings  excei>t  the 
State  House,  9,  and  during  that  week  the  Democratic  Legisla- 
ture gains  large  accessions  from  the  Republican  body.  In  ac- 
cordance with  President  Hayes's  “ Southern  Policy,”  the  U.  S. 
troops  are  officially  withdrawn  from  service  in  the  dty,  24 


246  Hisiory  of  the  United  States. 

1877.  Both  parties  in  Congress  compromise,  in  tho  matter  of  the 
disputed  electoral  returns,  in  an  arrangement  which  takes  8hai)e 
in  a hill  providing  for  tho  appointment  of  an  Electoral  Com- 
mission, to  whom  shall  be  referred  all  over  one  set  of  returns 
fron;  any  one  State,  and  all  single  returns  that  may  bo  di3put(?c 
by  eitlier  party,  for  decision  as  to  tho  lawful  vot(‘;  the  bill, 
originating  in  tho  Senate,  is  passed,  25  Jan.,  by  a vote  of  47  to 
17,  and  in  the  House,  20,  by  a vote  of  191  to  86,  and  it  receives 
the  President’s  approval,  29,  Tho  Commission  is  selected,  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  the  bill,  1 Feb.,  as  follows:  the  Senate 
elects  Messrs,  Edmunds,  Morton,  Frelinghuysen,  Thurman,  and 
Bayard;  the  House,  Messrs,  Payne,  Hunter,  Abbot,  Garfield, 
and  Hoar;  the  U.  S,  Supreme  Court  chooses  Justices  Clifford, 
Miller,  Field,  and  Strong,  and  these  choose  for  the  fifth.  Justice 
Bradley;  politically,  the  commission  stands,  Kepublicans,  8. 
Democrats,  7,  TheUommission  begins  its  sittings  iiitheSuiireme 
Courtroom,  1 Feb.,  and  on  the  same  day  both  ttousesof  Congress 
meet  in  joint  session  to  receive  the  electoral  returns  from  the 
States;  the  following  counsel  appear  for  the  Kcpublicari  elect- 
ors: Alessrs,  William  M,  Evarts,  N,  Y.;  Stanley  Matthews,  O.; 
Edwin  B.  Stoughton,  N.  Y.,  and  Judge  Shellabarger,  Ohio;  for 
the  Democratic  electors,  Messrs,  Charles  O’ Conor,  N.Y.  • Judge 
Jeremiah  Black,  Penn.;  Lyman  Trumbull,  111.;  an  I Kichard 
Merrick,  D,  C.;  the  votes  of  Alabama,  Arkansas,  California, 
Colorado,  Connecticut,  and  Delaware  are  read  and  counted; 
three  certificates  are  presented  from  Florida,  and  referred  to  the 
Commission,  which,  after  hearing  the  objectors  and  counsel, 
decides  in  favor  of  the  Bepublican  electors  by  a vote  of  8 to  7, 
12  Feb,  The  case  of  Louisiana  is  settled  1^  the  Commission 
in  the  same  manner,  and  the  two  Houses  of  Congress  count  the 
vote  for  the  Kepublicans,  20.  The  next  contest  is  on  the  Oregon 
vote,  objections  being  raised  to  the  counting  of  either  certifi- 
cate; the  Commission  decides  by  the  same  party  vote  that  Messrs. 
Odell,  Watts,  and  Cartwright  are  the  legally  appointed  electors, 
and  the  vote  of  the  State  is  counted  for  the  Kepublicans.  The 
S.  Carolina  case  is  argued,  26  Feb.,  with  a similar  decision,  and 
seiit  to  Congress,  28.  Violent  debates  occur  in  each  House,  the 
joint-meetiiig  separating  twice  during  tho  day.  Ea’dy  in  the 
evening  the  votes  of  this  State  are  counted  for  the  Kepublicans. 
The  counting  of  the  votes  is  concluded,  2 March,  when  the 
result  is  officially  announced,  Messrs.  Hayes  and  Wheeler  being 
given  185  votes  and  Messrs.  Tilden  and  Hendricks,  184;  the  for- 
mer are  then  declared  duly  elected. 

Justice  David  Davis,  of  theU.  S.  Supreme  Court,  is  elected 
U.S.  Senator  from  Illinois,  25  Jan.,  and  resigns  from  the  bench. 

Col.  John  O’Mahoney,  the  Irish  agitator,  editor,  and  trans- 
lator, dies  in  New  York,  6 Feb.;  the  remains  are  taken  to  Ire- 
land and  refused  burial  from  Dublin  Cathedral. 

Kear-Admiral  Charles  Davis,  U.S.  N.,  Superintendent  of  the 
U.  S.  Naval  Observatory,  digs  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  18  Feb., 
aged  70. 

Hon.  John  Welsh,  President  of  the  Centennial  Board  of 


247 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1877.  Finance,  is  presented  with  a clieck  for  $50,000  by  persona* 
friends  in  Philadelphia,  which  he  iinmediately  gives  to  thb 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  to  endow  a chaii'  of  history  and 
English  literatui-e,  22  Feb. 

Gen.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes  and  Hon.  William  A.  Wheeler 
are  inaugurated  nineteenth  President  and  Vice-President 
respectively,  5 March.  Congress  assembles  the  same  day  in 
special  session  and  confirms  the  following  cabinet  appointments: 
Secretary  of  State,  William  M.  Evaits,  N.  Y.;  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  John  Sherman,  Ohio;  Secretary  of  War,  George  W. 
McCrary,  Iowa;  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Richard  W.Thompson, 
Ind.;  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  Cail  Schurz,  iMo.;  Postmaster- 
General,  David  M.  Key,Tenn.;  and  Attorney-General,  Charles 
Devins,  Mass. 

Prof.  A.  Graham  Bell  gives  an  exhibition  of  his  newly 
invented  telephone  before  a gathering  of  scientific  men,  by 
which  conversation  is  carried  on  between  Salem  and  Boston,  15 
March;  at  another  exhibition,  2 Apiil,  a ])iano  concert  in  Pnila- 
delt)hia  is  distinctly  heard  in  Stein  way  Hall,  New  York. 

The  President  appoints  Frederick  Douglass,  the  well-known 
colored  orator,  U.  S.  Marshal  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  19 
March. 

John  D.  Lee,  convicted  for  complicity  in  the  Mountain  Mea- 
dow massacre  of  emigrants  by  Mormons,  is  executed  by  shoot- 
ing on  the  scene  of  the  tragedy,  23  March. 

After  a conference  with  Gen.  Wade  Hampton  and  DavM  H, 
Chamberlain,  both  claiming  to  liave  been  legally  electea  Gov- 
ernor of  S.  Carolina,  the  President  orders  the  withdrawal  of  J, 
S.  troops  from  Columbia,  2 April;  the  troops  march  out  of  the 
city,  10,  and  Mr.  Chamberlain  surrenders  the  Governor’s  office 
and  papers  to  Gen  Hampton. 

The  Westminster  Kennel  Club  gives  the  first  bench  show  of 
dogs,  in  New  York,  7-11  May. 

Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  one  son^ 
leaves  Philadelphia  for  an  extended  European  torn-,  17  May;  he 
is  entertained  at  luncheon  by  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Liverpool,  29; 
after  being  dined  by  the  United  Service  Club  and  a number  of 
distinguished  Englishmen  and  Americans,  he  is  presented  with 
the  freedom  of  the  City  of  London,  15  June,  and  entertained 
by  Queen  Victoria  at  Windsor  Castle,  26,  During  July  and 
Aug.,  he  visits  Brussels,  Cologne,  Frankfort,  Homberg*^,  lays 
the  corner-stone  of  an  American  Episcopal  Church,  at  Geneva 
makes  the  tour  of  Denmark,  Norway,  and  Sweden,  and  receives 
the  freedom  of  the  cities  of  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  Aberdeen, 
Inverness,  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  and  of  the  boroughs  of  Ayr  and 
Elgin;  he  goes  to  Stratford-on-Avon,  28  Sep.,  and  leaves  Eng- 
land for  France,  24  Oct.  He  is  received  by  Marshal  MacMahon, 
the  President,  25,  dines  with  him,  2'f^and  is  given  a most  bril- 
liant banquet  by  U.  S.  Minister  Noyes,  29;  leaving  Paris,  30 
Nov.,  he  visits  Lyons,  Marseilles,  and  Nice,  embarking  at  the 
latter  place,  15  Dec.,  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Vandalia,  for  visits  to  Gib- 
raltar, Algiers,  Constantinople,  Athens,  Alexandria,  Cairo, 
Genoa,  Palermo,  Naples,  and  Malta. 


History  of  the  United  States. 

/The  business  center  of  Galveston,  Texas,  la  destroyed  by 
fire,  8 June,  involving  a loss  of  $1,525^000 
f The  Nez  Perces  Indian  war  breOv.^  oul,  lo  ;inne,  in  Idalio; 
Gen.  Howard  fails  to  capture  or  surprise  Chief  Joseph;  but  Ge». 
Miles,  with  a picked  force,  follows  the  Indians  so  peilinaciouj^ 
that  after  a severe  engagement,  the  whole  war  party  surrenders 
to  him,  5 Oct. 

Eleven Mollie  Maguires,’'  condemned  for  murder  in  the 
coal  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  are  hung  at  Pottsville,  21  June. 

Right  Rev.  Bishop  Littlejohn  lays  the  corner-stone  of  the 
Cathedral  of  the  Incarnation,  a memorial  of  the  late  A.  T, 
Stewart,  at  Garden  City,  L.  I.,  28  June. 

A marble  reredos,  erected  in  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  at 
a cost  of  $26,000,  in  memory  of  the  late  William  B.  Astor,  is 
dedicated,  1 July. 

In  consequence  of  a reduction  of  lOper  cent.in  wages,  the  en# 
gineers,  firemen,  conductors,  brakemen,  switchmen,  and  other 
employes  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  go  on  a strike,  1 
July;  by  the  close  of  the  week,  the  strike  extends  to  the  New 
York  and  Erie,  the  Pittsburg,  the  Fort  Wayne  and  Chicago, 
the  Pittsburg,  Cincinnati,  and  St.  Louis,  the  Pan-Handle,  and 
Pennsylvania  Central  Raikoads.  State  troops  are  called  out  in 
Maryland,  Ohio,  West  Virginia,  and  Pennsylvania,  and  Federal 
troops  in  West  Virginia.  Engagements  between  the  strikers  and 
their  friends  and  the  soldiers  occur  in  Baltimore,  20,  in  which 
several  persons  are  killed  and  a large  number  wounded,  and  at 
Martinsburg,  West  Va.  In  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  the  troops  have 
encounters,  17  and  21;  on  the  latter  day,  the  strikers  caiJiue  a 
car  filled  with  coke,  satm^ate  the  mass  with  peti'oleum,  and 
igniting  it,  push  the  car  to  the  Round  House,  which^soon 
becomes  a mass  of  flames  with  all  its  contents;  between  200  and 
300  lives  are  lost  at  Pittsburg,  125  locomotives  are  destroyed, 
and  3500  cars  are  burned.  Bloody  riots  occur  in  Chicago,  25, 
26,  that  of  the  second  day  being  a pitched  battle  in  which  artil- 
lery is  freely  used.  By  the  close  of  the  second  week,  the  strike 
extends  to  all  the  northern  roads,  and  six  States  are  underarms, 
the  troops  being  used  in  protecting  property  and  attempting  to 
move  trains.  During  the  second  week,  the  backbone  of  the 
strike  is  broken,  and  compromises  between  the  railroad  officials 
and  the  disaffected  employes  lead  to  a gradual  reopening  of 
traflic,  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops,  and  the  return  of  84,000 
railroad  men  to  duty.  The  Pennsylvania  Railroad  suffered 
more  severely  than  any  other,  Its  losses  at  Pittsbm'g  alone  ag- 
gregating $12,000,000,  for  which  it  subsequently  sues  the 
county. 

A canal  constructed  by  the  National  Government  around  Des 
Moines  Rapids,  on  the  Mississippi,  at  Keokuk,  at  a cost  of 
$4,281,000,  is  opened,  22  Aug. 

Brigham  Young,  President  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter  Day  Saints,  dies  at  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  29  August, 
ag(Hl  76. 

Prof.  Asaph  Hall,  of  the  U.  S.  Naval  Observatory,  discovers 
Uie  moons  of  tlie  planet  Mars,  Sep.,  and  excites  the  pi'ofound 


24\) 


History  of  the  United  Statm. 

1877.  interest  of  scientific  and  astronomical  circles  thronghout 
world. 

Most  Rev.  James  R.  Bayley,  Roman  Catholic  Archbishop  of 
Baltimore  and  Primate  of  the  Church  in  the  U.  S.,  dies  at  New- 
ark, N.  J.,  3 Oct.,  aged  63;  he  is  succeeded  by  the  Right  Rev. 
James  Gibbons,  his  coadjutor. 

Gen.  George  B.  McClellan  is  elected  Governor  of  New  Jersey, 
6 Nov. 

George  S.  Bangs,  originator  of  the  fast  mail  service,  and 
Superintendent  of  the  Railway  Mail  System,  dies  suddenly  af 
Vashington,  D.  C.,  16  Nov.,  aged  52. 

Moses  H.  Grinnell,  who  fitted  out  Dr.  Kane’s  expedition  ki 
jearch  of  Sir  John  Franklin,  dies  in  New  York,  24  Nov  , 
aged  63. 

The  U.  S.  sloop-of-war  Huron  is  wrecked  in  a gale  near  Oro' 
gon  Inlet,  N.  C.,  24  Nov.,  and  over  100  lives  are  lost. 

The  President  and  Mrs.  Hayes  celebrate  their  silver  wedding 
in  the  White  House,  29  Dec. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $238,660,008;  the  debt 
is  $2,205,301,392;  the  imports  are  $492,097,540;  and  the  exports. 
$676,115,592. 

1878.  Gen.  Grant  sails  from  Malta  on  a trip  to  Egypt  and  the  Nile,  1 

Jan;  at  Alexandria,  6,  the  Khedive  offers  him  the  use  of  has 
palace  and  a steamer  to  navigate  the  Nile.  He  reaches  Con- 
stantinople, 2 March,  is  dined  by  the  British  Minister,  4,  and 
arrives  at  the  Piraeus,  escorted  by  three  ironclads,  8;  the  Gen* 
eral  and  his  wife  are  received  by  the  King  and  Queen  of  Greece, 
at  Athens,  9,  and  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  temples  and  the  Pan 
thenon  are  illuminated  in  his  honor,  11;  two  days  later,  with 
his  wife,  he  entertains  the  King  and  Queen  of  Greece  on  the  U. 
S.  S.  Vandalia.  The  party  reach  Rome,  20,  where  they  are  pre- 
sented to  the  Pope  by  Cardinal  McCloskey  and  received  V/itb 
marks  of  high  distinction,  80.  Tne  King  of  Italy  gives  a din- 
ner, 13  April,  at  which  all  his  Ministers  attend.  Florence  is 
reached,  15,  and  the  remainder  of  the  month  is  spent  in  vai-ious 
parts  of  Italy.  The  General  returns  to  Paris,  9 May,  to  attend 
the  World’s  Exposition,  and  then  goes  to  Holland,  where  the 
Government  has  made  extensive  arrangements  for  his  enter- 
tainment; seven  days  are  passed  in  this  interesting  country,  and 
he  then  departs  for  Germany  and  Russia,  reaching  St.  Peters- 
burg, 30  July,  and  being  received  by  the  Czar  Alexander  on  the 
day  following.  He  is  enthusiastically  received  at  Vienna,  21 
Aug.,  and  after  spending  a few  days  in  the  leading  cities  of 
Austria,  he  departs  for  a lengthened  tour  of  Spain, "Portugal, 
and  Algiers,  and  another  visit  to  Paris.  Previous  to  the  contem- 

Elated  trip  to  China,  Japan,  and  India,  the  party  start  for  Ire 
ind  at  the  close  of  Dec. 

Samuel  Bowles,  for  many  years  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Springfield  (Mass.)  Bepublicany  dies,  16  Jan.,  after  a lingering 
Illness. 

Gold  declines  to  101 J in  New  York,  23  Jan.,  the  lowest  figuif 
quoted  since  1862. 

The  steamship  Metropolis ^ bound  from  Philadelphia  for  Bra 
Wttti  a lai’ge  cargo  of  iroa  and  a party  of  engineers,  art 


250  History  of  the  United  States. 

1878.  and  laborers,  for  railroad  work,  is  wrecked  near  Kitty  Hawk, 
N.  C.,  31  Jan.,  and  about  100  lives  are  lost. 

Edward  K.  Collins,  founder  of  the  first  American  line  of 
steamships,  dies  in  New  York,  22  Jan.,  aged  76. 

Congress  having  made  an  appropriation  for  the  representation 
of  American  art  and  industry  at  the  Paris  Exposition,  Hon. 
Richard  McCormick  is  appointed  Comrnissioner-Genei'al,  and 
U.  S.  S.  Supply,  Wyoming,  Constitution  are  placed  at  his  dis- 
posal for  the  transportation  of  American  exhibits;  the  Supply 
loads  at  New  York,  the  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  and 

the  Constitution  at  Philadelphia,  and  all  get  under  way  in  the 
latter  part  of  Feb. 

The  U.  S.  Senate,  after  rejecting  the  free-coinage  clause  and 
providing  for  a conference  of  the  Latin  Union  States  to  fix  a 
common  ratio  between  the  values  of  gold  and  silver^  passes  the 
Bland  Silver  Bill,  16  Feb.;  the  House  concurs  in  the  amend- 
ments, 21;  the  President  vetoes  the  bill,  and  both  Houses  pass 
it  over  the  veto. 

The  Greenback  National  Convention  meets  in  To’edo,  Ohio, 
22  Feb.,  and  organizes  a National  Party,  with  Judge  Francis 
W.  Hughes,  as  president;  the  platform  advocates  a National 
currency  which  shall  be  a legal  tender  for  all  purposes,  and  op- 
poses land  grants,  prison  contract  labor,  and  Chinese  immigra- 
tion. 

Gen.  Thomas  C.  Anderson,  a member  of  the  Louisiana 
Returning  Board,  charged  with  forgery,  is  sentenced  to  two 
years’  imprisonment  at  hard  labor  and  costs,  at  New  Orleans,  25 
Feb.;  on  the  same  day,  a motion  is  filed  to  transfer  the  cases  of 
Messrs.  Wells ^ Kenner,  and  Casenave,  the  other  members  of 
the  Board,  to  the  U.  S.  Court.  The  Supreme  Court  of  the  State 
decides,  18  March,  that  the  Vernon  Parish  returns  are  not  sus- 
ceptible to  the  charge  of  forgery,  and  orders  the  discharge  of 
Gen.  Anderson;  the  Attorney-General  moves  for  a rehearing 
of  the  case,  which  the  Supreme  Court  refuses,  whereupon 
Gen.  Anderson  is  released  and  action  against  the  other  mem- 
bers abandoned. 

Henry  Ward  Beecher  is  sworn  in  as  Chaplain  of  the  13th 
Regiment,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  (Brooklyn),  1 March. 

Hon.  Benjamin  F.  Wade,  ex-President  of  the  U.  S.  Senate, 
dies  at  Jefferson,  Ohio,  2 March,  aged  77. 

Daniel  O’Leary,  of  Chicago,  wins  the  great  pedestrian  con- 
test in  London,  18-23  March,  walking  520  miles  and  two  fur- 
longs in  139  hours,  10  min. 

Albert  E.  Church,  for  forty  years  professor  of  mathe- 
matics in  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy,  dies  at  West  Point,  30 
March. 

Secretary  Sherman  makes  a contract  in  New  York  for  the  sale 
of  $50,000,000  of  the  4^  per  cent.  Bonds  for  gold,  11  April. 

William  M.  Tweed  dies  in  Ludlow  Street  Jail,  New  York,  12 
April. 

A bill  to  I’epeal  the  bankru])t  law  passes  the  House,  25  April, 
by  a vote  of  206  to  39,  and  the  Senate,  10  May,  by  a majority 
of  5*  the  bill  takes  elfect,  1 Sep.  When  it  becomes  evident  that 
the  law  will  bo  rei)ealed,  an  enormous  number  of  petitions  in 


Mistory  of  the  cnited  Stales.  251 

1878.  voluntary  bankruptcy  are  tiied  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern 
States. 

The  first  train  on  the  Gilbert  Elevated  Railroad  in  New  York 
is  run  through  Sixth  Avenue,  29  April,  and  the  first  one  on  the 
New  York  Elevated  Railroad  (east  side)  is  run,  15  Aug. 

John  Morrissey,  formerly  a noted  prize-fighter,  but  latterly  a 
New  York  State  Senator  and  Member  of  Congress,  dies  at  Sara-^ 
toga,  N.  Y.,  1 May,  aged  47. 

By  the  explosion  of  inflammable  gases,  five  steam  flouring- 
mills  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  are  desfroyed,  2 May,  with  a loss 
of  18  lives  and  $1,500,000  in  capital. 

William  S.  O’Brien,  of  the  California  firm  of  Flood  & O’Brien, 
the  famous  Bonanza  kings,  dies  in  San  Rafael,  2 May,  aged  52. 

Joseph  Henry,  LL.D.,  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute, 
dies  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  13  May,  aged  80. 

A $300,000  ihusic  hall  is  opened  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  with  a 
grand  musical  festival,  14  May. 

Tlie  Senate  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations  submits  an  elab- 
orate report,  28  May,  on  tlie  work  of  the  Fisheries  Commis- 
sion, which,  under  the  treaty  of  Wasliington,  assembled  at  Hali- 
fax, 15  June,  1877,  and  awarded,  23  Nov.,  the  sum  of  $5,500,- 
COO  in  gold  to  be  paid  by  the  U.  S.  to  Great  Britain  in 
compensation  for  the  fisheries  privileges  held  to  have  been 
accorded  citizens  of  the  U.  S,  above  those  granted  the  subjects 
of  Great  Britain  by  the  Treaty.  The  Committee  regards  the 
award  as  exorbitant,  expresses  a hope  that  the  British  Govern- 
ment will  fully  review  the  case,  and  recommends  the  adoption 
of  a bill  for  the  payment  of  the  award. 

Considerable  excitement  prevails  throughout  the  month  of 
May  by  the  arrival  of  the  steamship  Oimhria  at  Southwest  Har- 
bor, Me.,  with  660  Russian  naval  officers  and  seamen  on  board, 
the  pmxhase  of  three  fast  steamships  by  Russian  agents  in  the 
U.  S.,  and  the  mysterious  movements  of  the  British  frigate 
Sirius,  which  is  evidently  watching  the  (Jimbria, 

The  Potter  Investigating  Committee,  charged  with  the  inves- 
tigation of  alleged  election  frauds  in  the  South,  begins  its  ses- 
sions in  Washington,  1 June.  Messrs.  Blackbrnai,  Reed,  and 
Springer  are  appointed  a sub-committee  to  take  testimony  in 
Louisiana,  and  Messrs.  Hunter,  Steuger,  and  Hiscock  in  Fla. 

William  Cullen  Bryant,  the  distinguished  poet-journalist, 
dies  in  New  York,  12  June,  aged  84. 

The  report  of  the  examining  committee  of  Plymouth  Church, 
on  the  charges  preferred  against  Mrs.  llieodore  Tilton  for 
slandering  Mr.  Beecher,  is  adopted,  21  Jaii.,  and  Mrs.  Tilton  is 
formally  excommunicated. 

The  Rev.  John  Dowling,  D.  D.,  a Baptist  minister,  best 
known  for  his  “ History  of  Romanism,’’  dies  at  Middletown, 
N.  Y.,  4 July,  aged  70. 

The  first  resident  embassy  of  the  Chinese  Empire  accredited 
to  the  U.  S.,  consisting  of  Chin  Lan  Pin.  the  chief,  Yung  Wing, 
associate,  and  36  others,  reaches  San  Francisco,  25  July. 

Evert  A.  Duyckinck,  the  popular  author,  dies  in  New  York» 
13  Aug,,  aged  62. 


252  history  of  the  United  JStates. 

1878.  Rev.  John  IL  Raymond,  D.  D.,  President  of  Vassar  College, 
dies  at  Pouglikeepsie,  N.  Y.,  14  Aug.,  aged  64. 

A yellow  fever  epidemic,  in  New  Orleans,  Memphis,  Vicks- 
burg, Grenada,  Port  Gibson,  and  other  Southern  cities  and 
towns,  has  caused  a loss  of  3400  lives  up  to  1 Sep.;  by  26  Oct., 
the  cases  in  New  Orleans  alone  aggregate  12,792,  of  which  3828 
have  terminated  fatally. 

Rev.  Mark  Hopkins,  D.  D.,  is  elected  president  of  the  Amen- 
can  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Foreign  Missions,  at  Milwaukee 
3 Oct. 

The  Manhattan  Savings  Institution  in  New  York  is  brokcm 
into  by  masked  burglars,  27  Oct.;  the  janitor  is  forced  to  sur- 
render the  keys  and  the  combination  of  the  lock,  and  |2, 747, 700 
in  bonds  and  |11,000  in  cash  are  stolen. 

Thomas  A.  Edison,  of  Menlo  Park,  N.  J.,  creates  a sensation 
in  Oct.,  by  announcing  that  he  has  at  length  discovered  a method 
of  dividing  the  electric  current  audits  light '.ridefiuitely,  and 
has  perfected  a practical  system  for  light^jg  dwellings  and 
public  buildings  by  means  of  this  current.  • 

The  remains  of  the  late  Alexander  T.  Stewart  are 
mysteriously  abstracted  from  the  vault  in  St.  Mark’s  chui‘ch- 
yard.  New  York,  8 Nov.;  by  direction  of  Mrs.  Stewait,  Judge 
Hilton  offers  a reward  of  |2o,000  for  the  return  of  the  body  and 
information  that  will  convict  the  thieves;  the  rewaixl  is  subse- 
quently doubled. 

Gold  sells  at  par  on  Wall  Street,  New  York,  17  J >ec. 

Hon.  Bayard  Taylor,  the  well-known  author,  and  IT.  S.  Min- 
ister to  Germany,  dies  at  Berlin,  19  Dec. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  1236,964,326;  the  debt 
is  $2,256,205,892;  the  imports  are  $466,872,846;  and  the  exports, 
722,811,815. 

1879.  The  U.  S.  Government  resumes  specie  payments,  1 Jan.,  without 

embarrassment  to  itself  or  the  public. 

Hon.  Caleb  Cushing  dies  at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  2 Jan., 
aged  79. 

Gen.  Grant  and  party  arrive  in  Dublin,  3 Jan.,  and  leave  Ire- 
land for  London,  9.  While  on  the  way  to  Marseilles  to  take 
passage  for  India,  the  General  and  his  wife  pay  a farewell  visit 
to  Paris,  and,  16,  are  dined  at  the  Palace  d’Elysee,  by  President 
MacMahon,  who  invites  a distinguished  company  to  meet  them. 
Leaving  Marseilles;  23,  the  party  pass  Suez,  1 Feb.,  Aden,  6, 
and  land  at  Bombay,  13,  receiving  distinguished  attention  from 
the  British  and  native  authorities;  departing  from  Allahabad, 
22,  the  party  make  stoppages  at  Agra,  Delhi,  Cawnpore,  Luck- 
now, Benares,  and  Calcutta,  reaching  the  latter  city,  10  March, 
and  leaving  it,  17,  for  Rangoon  and  Singapore;  the  arrival  in 
Siam  is  made  1 April,  when  the  American  Consul  at  Bangkok, 
with  one  of  the  princes  and  an  aide-de-camp  of  the  King,  meets 
him  with  a Government  steamer  in  the  Gulf,  and  escorts  the 
party  to  the  cai)ital.  The  King  showers  honors  of  an  unprece- 
dented character  ui)on  the  General.  Hong  Kong  is  reached  1 
May,  and  the  entire  month  is  passed  in  Chimn  considerable 
time  beinj^  occupied  by  the  G(uuiral  and  Fruice  Kung  in  discus* 


263 


History  of  tfie  ZTnited  States. 

1870.  sing  the  question  of  the  status  of  the  Chinese  in  the  U.  S.,  and 
the  means  of  enlarging  the  commercial  relations  of  the  two 
countries.  The  Emperor  of  Japan  appoints  a committee  of  dig- 
nitaries to  receive  and  entertain  the  General  in  his  behalf,  and 
idaces  the  summer  palace  in  readiness  for  his  use.  The  com- 
mittee sail  from  Yokohama,  14  June,  and  meet  the  General  and 
paity  at  Nagasaki,  3 July;  preceeding  direct  toTokio,  the  Gen. 
is  personally  welcomed  by  the  Emperor,  4,  with  a warmth  of 
cordiality  unusual  in  Japanese  court  life.  Two  montlis  are 
passed  in  this  country,  where  the  citizens  vie  with  the  Govern- 
ment in  the  elaborateness  of  their  entertainments,  and  on  3 Sep, 
the  party  sail  from  Yokohama  for  San  Francisco,  where  they 
arrive,  20,  thus  ending  the  most  remarkable  ideasure-tour  on 
record. 

The  Hon.  Morton  McMichael,  of  Philadelphia,  ‘^father  of 
Fairmount  Park,”  and  editor  of  the  North  Amei'icany  dies,  6 
Jan.,  aged  72. 

Mrs.  Ada  L.  Anderson  accomplishes  the  feat  of  walking  2700 
Cjuarter-miles  in  that  number  quarter-hours,  at  Brooklyn,  N.Y"., 
13  Jan.,  making  her  last  quarter-mile  in  2:37|j  the  quickest 
time  of  the  walk. 

Chief  Justice  Charles  P.  Daly,  of  New  Y^ork,  is  elected  Presi- 
dent of  tlie  American  Geogi-aphical  Society,  14  Jan. 

A bill  providing  for  the  payment  of  an-eai*s  of  pensions,  hav- 
ing passed  both  Houses  of  Confess,  is  signed  by  the  President, 
25  Jan.;  the  lowest  estimate  of  the  amount  required  to  pay  all 
claims  uiuler  it  is  f:80,000,000. 

The  subscriptions  to  the  new  4 per  cent.  Government  loan 
during  Jan.  amount  to  ?^158,851,150;  during  the  same  period 
Secretary  Sherman  has  called  in  bonds  to  the  amount  of  ^;150,- 
000,000. 

The  U.  S.  Centennial  Commission  closes  its  financial  affairs 
and  adjourns  sine  die,  Jan.;  the  total  receipts  from  all  sources 
w ere  ^*11,161,611,  and  the  expenditures,  including  the  return  of 
the  Government  appropriation  of  ?il  ,500,000  and  dividends  to 
stockholders,  about  $150,000  less. 

A billiard  tournament  for  the  championship  of  the  world,  the 
champio]!  vase,  and  a purse  of  $1,000,  isw^on  in  Ne^v  Y’^ork,  b}" 
Jacob  Schaefer,  7 Feb.,  wdth  a score  of  seven  games  and  an 
average  of  85. 

^ Tliomas  Lord,  the  Nc'sv  Y^'ork  millionaire  wdiose  marriage  with 

Mrs.  Hicks  created  a sensation  in  American  and  European 
society  circles,  dies,  8 Feb.,  aged  85. 

Tl  ie  degree  of  Doctor  of  Law's  is  conferred  upon  Peter  Cooper 
by  tlie  University  of  the  State  of  New'  Y^ork,  12  Feb.,  Mr. 
Cooper’s  88th  birthda}'. 

A bill  to  restrict  the  immigi*ation  of  Chinese  to  the  U.  S.,  by 
making  it  unlawful  for  the  master  of  an}"  vessel  to  bring  to  this 
country  more  than  15  Cliinese  passengers,  W'hich  has  passed  the 
House  after  a heated  debate,  is  passed  in  the  Senate,  15  Feb.  by 
a vote  of  39  to  27;  the  Pj*esident  vetoes  the  bill,  1 March,  and 
Congress  fails  to  i)ass  it  over  the  veto.  During  the  debate  in  the 
Senate,  14,  Senator  B.  K.  Bruce  occupies  the  chair,  being  the 


35a 


History  of  the  United  States, 

1879.  sing  the  question  of  the  status  of  the  Chineso  in  the  U.  S.,  and 
the  means  of  enlarging  the  commercial  lelations  of  the  two 
countries.  The  Emperor  of  Japan  appoints  a comiAittee  of  (Sgf- 
nitaries  to  receive  and  entertain  the  General  in  his  behalf,  aad 
places  the  summer  palace  in  readiness  for  his  use.  The  cooi- 
mittee  sail  from  Yokohama,  14  June,  and  meet  the  General  a«sS 
party  at  Nagasaki.  B July;  preceeding  direct  tol'oldo,  the  Giesi. 
is  personally  welcomed  by  the  Emperor,  4,  with  a warmtk  r4f 
cordiality  unusual  in  Ja[)auese  court  life.  Two  months  arai 
passed  in  this  country,  where  the  citi/  cns  vie  with  the  Govern- 
ment in  the  elaborateness  of  their  entertainments,  and  on  SHqr. 
the  party  sail  from  Yokohama  for  San  Francisco,  where  raair 
arrive,  20,  thus  ending  tlu  most  remarkable  pleasure-tonr 
record. 

The  Hon.  Morton  McMichael,  of  Philadel},hia,  father  ct? 
Fairmount  Park,’’  and  editor  of  the  North  American^  dies, 
Jan.,  aged  72. 

Mrs.  Ada  L.  Anderson  accomplishes  the  feat  of  walking  27(KS> 
quarter-miles  in  that  number  quarter-hours,  at  Brooklyn,  N.Y.. 

18  Jan.,  making  her  last  quarter-mile  in  2:37|  the  quick«ei 
time  of  the  walk. 

Chief  Justice  Charles  P.  Daly,  of  New  York,  is  elected  Pi-eoL 
dent  of  the  American  Geographical  Society,  14  Jan. 

A bill  providing  for  the  payment  of  arrears  of  pensions,  hav- 
ing passed  both  Houses  of  Congress,  is  signed  by  the  President, 

25  Jan.;  the  lowest  estimate  of  the  amount  required  to  pay  all 
claims  under  it  is  $80,000,000. 

The  subscriptions  to  the  new  4 per  cent.  Government  loan 
during  Jan.  amount  to  $158,851,150;  during  the  same  period 
Secretary  Sherman  has  called  in  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $150,- 
000,000. 

The  IJ.  S.  Centennial  Commission  closes  its  financial  affairs 
and  adjourns  Jan.;  the  total  receipts  from  all  sources 

were  $11,161,611,  and  the  expenditures,  including  the  return  of 
the  Government  appropriation  of  $1 ,500,000  and  dividends  to 
stockholders,  about  $150,000  less.  

A billiard  tournament  for  the  championship  of  the  world,  tlPH 
champion  vase,  and  a purse  of  $1,000,  is  won  in  New  York,  by  1 
Jacob  Schaefer,  7 Feb.,  with  a score  of  seven  games  and  an 
average  of  85. 

Thomas  Lord,  tlie  New  York  millionaire  whose  marriage  with 
Mrs.  Hicks  created  a sensation  in  American  and  European 
society  circles,  aies,  8 Feb.,  aged  85. 

The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  is  conferred  upon  Peter  Cooper 
by  the  University  of  the  State  of  New  York.  12  Feb.,  Mr. 
Cooper’s  88th  birthday. 

A bill  to  restrict  the  immigration  of  Chinese  to  the  U.  S.,  by 
making  it  unlawful  for  the  master  of  any  vessel  to  bring  to  this 
country  more  than  15  Chinese  passengers,  which  has  passed  the 
House  after  a heated  debate,  is  passed  in  the  Senate,  15  Feb.  by 
a vote  of  39  to  27;  the  President  vetoes  the  bill,  1 March,  and 
Congress  fails  to  pass  it  over  tlie  veto.  During  the  debate  in  the 
Senate,  14,  Senator  B.  K.  Bruce  occupies  the  chaff,  being  the 


History  of  the  United  States^ 

1879,  first  colored  man  who  sat  oificially  in  the  scat  of  the  Vice* 
President  of  the  IJ.  8. 

Congress  meets  in  extra  session,  18  Marcii;  vSamuelJ.  Ram 
dall  is  elected  Speaker  of  the  House;  in  the  reconstruction  of 
thu  Senate  Committees  ail  the  cliainnanships  excc[)t  three  go 
to  the  Democrats,  viz:  Finance,  Mr.  Bayard;  Foreign  Relations, 
Mr.  Eaton;  Commerce,  Mr.  Gordon;  Judiciary,  Mr.  I’hurman; 
Appropriations,  Mr.  Davis  (West  Va.);  Patents,  Mr.  Kernan; 
and  Privileges  and  Elections,  Mr.  Saulsbuiy.  The  South  fur- 
nishes 80  of  the  48  Democratic  Senators,  of  whom  19  are  ex- 
Confederate  officers, 

Gen.  John  A.  Dix  dies  at  his  residence  in  New  York,  21 
April,  aged  81. 

Both  Houses  of  Congress  pass  a bill  prohibiting  the  use  of 
Federal  troops  on  election  days.  May;  the  President  vetoes  it  as 
conflicting  with  his  constitutional  prerogatives  and  as  nullifying 
the  laws  of  1792;  the  bill  fails  to  pass  the  veto. 

A great  Mormon  demonstration  takes  place  in  Salt  Lake  City, 
Utah,  6 May,  in  honor  of  Daniel  H.  Wells,  first  counselor  to  the 
Twelve  Apostles,  for  his  refusal  to  reveal  the  secrets  of  the  En- 
dowment  House  before  the  U.  S.  Court. 

William  Lloyd  Garrison,  the  noted  Abolitionist,  dies  in  New 
York,  24  May,  aged  75. 

St.  Patrick’s  Cathedral,  on  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  is  dedi- 
cated with  imposing  ceremonies,  25  May. 

President  Hayes  vetoes  the  Legislative  Appropriation  Bill,  29 
May,  and  the  House  refuses  to  pass  it  over  the  veto,  by  a vote 
of  118  to  91;  under  a suspension  of  the  rules,  the  House  passes 
it,  9 June,  by  a vote  of  188  to  22,  the  negative  votes  behig 
Democratic. 

A great  sensation  is  produced  in  New  York,  11  June,  by  the 
finding  of  the  dead  body  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Alonzo  G.  Hull,  a prom- 
inent society  lady,  at  her  residence,  under  circumstances  sug- 
gesting a mysterious  murder;  the  detectives  are  baffled  in  their 
search  for  the  muiMerer,  and  appear  to  be  trying  to  v/eave  a 
circumstantial  net  around  Dr.  Hull  himself,  when  a negro, 
Chastine  Cox,  is  arrested  in  Boston,  28,  and  led  to  confess  that 
he  committed  the  mm'der  in  an  attempt  at  burglary.  He  is 
brought  to  New  York,  indicted,  tried,  and  subsequently  hanged 
for  the  crime. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Dorsey  dies,  July,  and  leaves  by  will  her  beautiful 
house  at  Beauvoir,  Miss.,  several  valuable  plantations,  and  all 
her  personal  property  to  Jefferson  Davis. 

Secretary  Schurz  makes  a visit  to  the  Spotted  Tail  Agency, 
and  personally  investigates  the  Sioux  grievances,  Aug.-Sep. 

Daniel  Drew  dicMS  suddenly  at  his  residence  in  New  York,  18 
Sep.,  aged  82. 

An  Indian  outbreak  occurs  at  the  White  River  Agency,  in 
Colorado,  29  Sei).,  when  the  Utes  kill  Indian  Agent  N.  C. 
Meeker  and  several  of  his  assistants,  carry  the  women  and 
childnm  into  captivity,  and  kill  Major  Thornburgh,  who  had 
been  semt  to  the  Agent’s  relief,  with  many  of  his  command;  the 
surviving  troops  intrench  in  a gulch  and  sustain  a heavy  fire 
from  the  bluffs  until  2 Oct.,  when  Captain  Dodge  and  40  colored 


255 


History  of  the  tTnited  States, 

1879.  soldiers  cut  their  way  tlirougli  the  Indian  force  and  relieve 
Captain  Payne’s  beleaguered  garrison.  Gen.  Menatt  reaches 
the  scene,  5,  to  relieve  the  command,  having  marched  170  miles 
in  a little  over  two  days.  Gen.  Adams  brings  the  women  into 
camp,  24,  with  proposals  for  peace  and  a promise  from  Ouray, 
the  head  Chief,  to  arrest  the  murderers  of  Mr.  Meeker  and  his 
men, 

Henry  C.  Carey,  the  foremost  American  political  economist, 
dies  at  Pliiladelphia,  13  Oct.,  aged  86. 

Maj.-Gen.  Joseph  Hooker,  U.  S.  A.,  dies  suddenly  at  Garden 
City,  L.  I.,  31  Oct.,  aged  64. 

Hon.  Zachariah  Chandler,  U.  S.  Senator  from  Michigan,  is 
found  dead  in  bed  at  a hotel  in  Chicago,  1 Nov.,  aged  66. 

The  Rev.  Lovick  Peirce,  D.  D.,  the  Nestor  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  dies  at  Sparta,  Ga.,  10  Nov.,  aged  94. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  |266,947,883j  the  debt 
is  $2,219,782,408;  the  imports  are  $466,073,775;  and  the  exports, 
$717,093,777. 

ISCO.  Contrary  to  general  expectation,  the  Legislature  of  Maine  is 
organized  at  Augusta,  7 Jan.  , without  bloodshed,  but  not  with- 
out scenes  of  great  excitement.  Gen.  Chamberlain  assumes 
control  of  all  the  public  property  and  institutions,  9,  promising 
to  hold  them  for  the  people  until  Governor  Garcelon’s  successor 
is  legally  elected  and  qualified.  j 

The  officers  of  the  New  York  Society  for  the  Prevention  ol! 
Cruelty  to  Children  rescue  a number  of  children  from  starvationi 
and  cruel  treatment  at  the  Shepherd’s  Fold,  17  Jan.,  and  pro-l 
secute  tlie  Rev.  Edward  Cowley,  the  manager,  to  a conviction] 
and  imprisonment.  ! 

Hon.  Alexander  H.  Stephens  makes  a memorable  speech  in  ^ 
the  House  of  Representatives,  19  Feb.,  against  the  Democratic 
policy  of  attaching  political  riders  to  appropriation  bills. 

Congress  passes  a joint  resolution  authorizing  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy  to  transport  contributions  for  the  reiief  of  the  suf- 
fering poor  of  Ireland,  Feb.;  he  accordingly  selects  the  U.  S. 
S.  Constellation  for  the  mission,  and  she  is  put  into  commission, 
18  March.  Hon.  Levi  P.  Morton,  James  Gordon  Bennett,  and 
Hon.  W.  R.  Grace  volunteer  to  contribute  each  a fourth  part  of 
all  the  cargo  she  can  carry. 

M.  Ferdinand  de  Lessei  s is  received  by  the  American  Society 
cf  Civil  Engineers,  at  New  York,  26  Feb.,  where  he  delivers  an 
address  on  his  Suez  Canal  labors  and  his  projected  canal  across 
the  Isthmus  of  Darien. 

Denis  Kearney,  the  sand-lots  agitator  of  San  Francisco,  is 
sentenced  to  six  months’  imprisonment  and  to  pay  a fine  of 
$1,000  for  disturbing  the  peace  and  using  language  tending  to 
incite  riots,  March. 

The  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New  York,  is  formally 
opened,  30  March. 

The  Egyptian  Obelisk,  presented  by  the  Khedive  to  the  city 
of  New  York,  is  successfully  embarked  at  Alexandria,  31  March. 
A rumor  gains  credence  that  William  H.  Vanderbilt  has 
engaged  to  pay  Commander  Gomnge,  U.  S.  N.,  $75,000  upon 
the  arrival  of  the  shaft  at  New  York,  for  the  expense  of  taLua^r 


250  lliMorrj  ([f  Hie.  Vniicd 

1.880.  It  down  Jind  transporting  it;  the  sliaft  reaches  New  York,  1ft 
July,  and  is  erected  in  Central  Park. 

Tlie  centenary  of  tho  birth  of  Win.  E.  Clianning,  the  apostlft 
of  llnitarianisni,  is  celebrated  at  Newport,  K.  I.,  7 Aiiril,  by 
the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  a inetnorial  church. 

Postmaster-General  Key  resigns  his  ofTice,  May,  and  is  sue- 
ccede^l  by  lion.  Horace  Maynard,  the  U.S.  Minister  to  Turkey, 
whose  diplomatic  position  is  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Geiu 
James  Longstreet,  of  Confederate  fame. 

A Reimblican  Anti-Third -Term  Convention  is  held  at  8t. 
Louis,  G May,  under  the  presidency  of  Gen.  John  B.  Henderson, 
to  protest  against  the  renomination  of  Gen,  Grant  for  the  Presi- 
dency. 

The  centennial  anniversary  of  tho  settlement  of  the  city  of 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  is  observed,  17-24  May,  the  chief  event  being 
the  unveiling  of  an  equestrian  statue  of  Gen,  Jackson,  erected 
by  popular  subscription  on  the  Capitol  grounds,  20. 

The  first  national  meet  of  American  bicyclists  is  held  at  New- 
port, K.I.,  31  May,  when  31  clubs  are  represented  by  160  wheel- 
men; the  parade  of  145  machines  awakens  a strong  interest  in 
this  new  method  of  exercise  and  sport. 

The  taking  of  the  Census  of  1880  begins  simultaneously  in 
every  city,  town,  village,  and  hamlet  in  the  U.  S.,  except  it 
Alaska  and  the  Indian  Territory,  1 June;  the  reports,  witi 
the  above  exceptions,  show  the  population  to  be  50,152,866. 

The  Republican  National  Convention  meets  in  Chicago,  2 
June;  Senator  George  F.  Hoar,  of  Mass.,  is  chosen  permanent 
president.  The  platform  is  adopted,  5,  and  the  first  ballot  for 
a Presidential  candidate  is  taken,  7,  with  the  following  result; 
U.  S.  Grant,  304;  James  G.  Blaine,  284;  John  Sherman,  93; 
George F,  Edmunds,  34;  Elihu  B.Washburne,  30;  and  William 
Windom,  10.  The  36th  and  final  ballot  is  taken,  8,  when  Gen. 
James  A.  Garfield,  of  Ohio,  is  nominated,  he  receiving  399 
votes  to  307  for  Grant,  42  for  Blaine,  3 for  Sherman,  and  5 for 
Washbunie,  Gen.  Chester  A.  Arthur,  of  New  York,  is  nom- 
inated for  Vice-President  on  the  first  ballot,  receiving  468  votes 
"o  193  for  Washbunie,  44  for  Marshall  Jewell,  of  Conn.,  30  for 
Horace  Maynard,  of  Tenn.,  5 for  Senator  B.  K.  Bruce  (colored), 
if  Miss.,  2 for  Judge  Davis,  of  Texas,  4 for  J.  L.  Alcorn,  of 
Miss.,  1 for  Judge  Settle,  of  N.  C.,  and  1 for  Stewart  L.  Wood- 
ford, of  N.  Y. 

The  Greenback  National  Convention  is  held  in  Chicago,  9 
lune;  the  balloting  for  candidates  begins  11,  the  first  being 
in  informal  one  in  which  Gen.  J.  B.  Weaver,  of  Iowa,  receives 
}24J  votes;  Hendiiv,k  B.  Wright,  of  Penn.,  126^;  Stephen  B. 
Dillaye,  of  N.  J.,  119;  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler,  95;  and  Solon  Chase, 
)f  Me.,  89.  Gen.  Weaver  is  declared  unanimously  elected,  and 
xen.  J.  B.  Chambers,  of  J'exas,  is  nominated  for  Vice-Presi- 
lent. 

The  Prohibition  National  Convention  is  held  at  Cleveland,  17 
hine;  N(;il  Dow,  of  Me.,  is  unanimously  nominated  for  Presi 
’«nt,  and  A.  M.  Thompson,  of  Ohio,  for  Vice-President.  ^ 

Th»  Convon^iw  assemble?,  in  Cinclja-- 


25(>  History  of  the  United  Stales. 

18b0.  it  down  and  traiisj^ortinpj  it;  tli(3  sliaft  reaches  New  York,  10 
July,  and  is  erected  in  Cential  I^irk. 

The  centenary  of  the  birtli  of  Win.  E.  Cha lining,  the  apfistle 
of  Unitarianisni,  is  eelehiated  at  Newjioil,  It.  1.,  7 April,  by 
the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  a ineiiiorial  church. 

Eostmaster-General  Key  resigns  his  oflice,  May,  and  is  suc- 
ceeded by  Hon.  Horace  Maynard,  the  U.8.  Minister  to  Turkey, • 
whose  diplomatic  position  is  filled  by  the  ai>i)ointment  of  Gen., 
James  Longstreet,  of  Confederate  fame. 

A Republican  Anti-Third-Term  Convention  is  held  at  St. 
Louis,  0 May,  under  the  jiresidency  of  Gen.  John  R.  Henderson, 
to  protest  against  the  renomination  of  Gen.  Grant  for  the  Presi- 
dency. 

The  centennial  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  the  city  of 
.Nashville,  Tenn.,  is  observed,  17-24  I^Iay,  the  chief  event  being 
the  unveiling  of  an  ecpiestrian  statue  of  Gen.  Jackson,  erected 
by  popular  subscription  on  the  Capitol  grounds,  20. 

The  first  national  meet  of  American  bicyclists  is  held  at  New- 
])ort,  R.I.,  31  May,  when  31  clubs  are  reiiresented  by  100  wheel- 
men; the  parade  of  145  machines  awakens  a strong  interest  in 
this  new  method  of  exercise  and  sport. 

The  taking  of  the  Census  of  1880  begins  simultaneous!}'  in 
every  city,  town,  village,  and  hamlet  in  the  U.  8.,  except  in 
Alaska  and  the  Indian  I'erritory,  1 June;  tlie  rejiorts,  with 
the  above  exceptions,  show  the  population  to  be  50,152,800. 

The  Republican  National  Convention  jueets  in  Chicago,  2 
June;  8enator  George  F.  Hoar,  of  Mass.,  is  chosen  permanent 
president.  J'he  platform  is  adopted,  5,  and  the  first  ballot  for 
a Presidential  candidate  is  taken,  7,  with  the  following  result: 
U.  8.  Grant,  304;  James  G.  Blaine,  284;  John  Shei-man,  93; 
George F.  Edmunds,  34;  Elihu  R.Washburne,  30;  and  William 
Windom,  10.  The  30th and  final  ballot  is  taken,  8,  when  Gen. 
James  A.  Garfield,  of  Oliio,  is  nominated,  he  receiving  300 
votes  to  307  for  Grant,  42  for  Blaine,  3 for  Sherman,  and  5 for 
ANhcJiburne.  Gen.  Chester  A.  Aithur,  of  New  Yoi-k,  is  nom- 
inated for  Vice-President  on  the  first  ballot,  receiving  408  votes 
to  103  for  Washburne,  44  for  Marshall  Jewell,  of  Conn.,  30  for 
Horace  Maynard,  of  Tenn.,  5 for  Senator  B.  K.  Bruce  (colored), 
of  Miss.,  2 for  Judge  Davis,  of  Texas,  4 for  J.  L.  Alcoi-n,  of 
Miss.,  1 for  Judge  Settle,  of  N.  C.,  and  1 for  Stewart  L.  Wood- 
ford, of  N.  Y. 

Tlie  Greenback  National  Convention  is  held  in  Chicago,  9 
June;  the  balloting  for  candidates  begins  11,  the  first  being 
an  informal  one  in  which  Gen.  J.  B.  Weaver,  of  Iowa,  receives 
224J  votes;  Hendrick  B.  Wilght,  of  Penn.,  126J;  Stejihen  B. 
Dillaye,  of  N.  J.,  119;  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler,  95;  and  Solon  Chase, 
of  Me.,  89.  Gen.  Weaver  is  declared  unanimously  elected,  and 
Gen.  J.  B.  Chambers,  of  Texas,  is  nominated  for  Vice-Presi- 
dent. 

JJie  Prohibition  National  Convention  is  held  at  Cleveland,  17 
June;  Neil  Dow,  of  Me.,  is  unanimously  nominated  for  Presi- 
dent, and  A.  M.  Thomiison,  of  Ohio,  for  Vice-Presidmit. 

The  Democratic  National  Convention  assembles  in  Cincin- 


G'.ovi:i>!  Clexelasd. 


257 


Histo^^y  of  the  XJnited  States. 

iiati,  22  June.  The  New  York  delegation  jnvsent  a letter  fioin 

1880.  Samuel  J.  Tilden,  positively  deelining  to  allow  the  use  of  his 
name  in  conneetion  with  the  PresideJhial  nomination.  Hon. 
John  AY. Stevenson  is  elected  ])ermanent  president,  and  the 
Tammany  Hall  delegation  from  New  York  are  rejected.  On  the 
third  ballot,  24,  Gen.  Winfield  S.  Hancock,  U.  S.  A.  is  nomi- 
nated for  President,  receiving  705  out  of  738  votes,  and  Hon. 
William  H.  English,  of  Ind.,  is  nominated  for  Vice-President 
on  the  first  ballot. 

Tlie  bicentenaiy  of  the  discovery  of  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony, 
by  the  Franciscan  friar  Louis  Hennepin,  is  celebrated  at  Min- 
neapolis, Minn.,  3 July. 

Dr.  Henry  S.  Tanner,  of  ]\Iinneapolis,  IMinn.,  completes  the 
feat  of  abstaining  from  food  for  forty  consecutive  days,  during 
which  he  lives  on  water  alone,  at  New  York,  7 Aug. " 

Gen.  A.T.  A.  Torbert,  the  famous  Union  cavalry  officer  in 
the  civil  war,  is  lost  at  the  foundering  of  the  steamship  Yera 
Cruz,  off  the  Florida  coast,  29  Aug. 

The  250th  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  the  city  of  Bos- 
ton is  appropriately  observed,  17  Sep. 

The  150th  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  the  citj:  of  Balti- 
more is  celebrated  with  imposing  historical  and  industrial 
demonstrations,  11-16  Oct. 

Tlie  Presidential  election  takes  place,  2 Nov.;  the  returns 
show  a popular  Eepublican  vote  of  4,450,921;  Democratic, 
4,447,888;  Greenback,  307,740;  and  Prohibition,  10,305;  the 
electoral  votes  are:  Eepublican,  214;  Democratic,  155. 

Mrs.  Lucretia  Mott,  i)liilanthropist,  reformej’,  and  preacher, 
dies  in  Montgomery  Co.,  Penn.,  11  Nov.,  aged  87. 

Prof.  James  B.  Anacll,  John  F.  Swift,  and  William  H.  Tres- 
cott,  Commissioners  l^Jenipotentiary  sent  to  China  in  March  to 
negotiate  a treaty  which  shall  restrict  the  iinmigratiom  of  the 
Cliinese  to  the  U.  S.,  conclude  tliem  negotiations  and  sign  two 
treaties  at  Pekin.  17  Nov.,  one  being  exclusively  commercial. 

The  Eev.  Edwin  H.  Chajan,  D.D.,  one  of  the  most  noted  of 
American  clergymen,  dies  in  New  York,  26  Dec.,  aged  66. 

The  national  expenses  of  the  year  are  $267,642,957.  the  debt 
is  $2,121,481,475;  the  imports  are  $760,989,056;  and  the  exports, 
$833,294,246. 

1881.  An  International  Sanitary  Conference,  attended  by  re])resenta- 

tives  of  19  governments,  assembles  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  5 
January. 

The  Egyptian  obelisk  is  set  in  its  permanent  position  in  Cen- 
tral Park"  New  York,  22  Jan. 

Tlie  Eev.  John  S.  Macintosh,  D.  D.,  one  of  the  most  eminent 
]U'eachers  in  the  Irish  Presbyterian  Church,  accejjts  a call  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Cluirch,  of  Philadelidiia,  Jan. 

Hon.  Fernando  Wood,  M.  C.  from  New  York,  and  Chairman 
of  the  House  Committee  of  Ways  and  ^Means,  dies  at  Hot 
Springs,  Ark.,  13  Feb.,  aged  tlie  Committee  elect  Tuc- 
ker, of  Va.,  to  succeed  him  as  Chairman. 

Hon.  James  A.  Garfield  is  inaugm  ated  President  of  the  U.S., 
4 March.  The  inauguration  ball  is  held  in  the  ne'w  building  of 
the  National  Museum,  the  couix>letiou  of  wliicU  has  been 


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258 

18S1. 


History  of  the  United  States. 


hastened  for  the  occasion.  The  Senate  meets  in  special  execu- 
tive) session  immediately  after  the  inaugural  ceremonies.  The 
new  President  submits  the  following  cabinet  appoint/nents,  6: 
Secretaiw  of  State.  .Tames  (t.  Rlaiiie  Me  * v fii« 


Secretary  of  State,  James  G.  Blaiiie,  Me.;  Secretary  of  tlie 
Treasury,  William  Windom,  Minn.;  Secretary  of  Wa:-,  Robert 
T.  Lhicoln  (son  of  the  martyr  President),  111.;  Secretary  of 
the  Navy,  William  H.  Hunt,  La.;  SecTetary  of  tin  interior, 
Samuel  J.  Kirkwood,  Iowa;  Postmaster-General,  'Tbomas  L. 
James,  N.  Y.;  and  Attorney-General,  Wayne  McVeagli,  Penn. 

The  President  renews  President  Hayes's  nomination  of  Hon.  i 
Stanley  Matthews  for  the  vacancy  in  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court, 
14  March,  and  the  nomination  is  confirmed  after  a spirited 
debate,  12  Mav, 

Postmaster-General  James  presents  a paper  to  the  President, 
28  March,  i i which  Vice-President  Arthur,  the  Postmaster- 
General,  a!vl  U.  S.  Senators  Conklingand  Platt,  of  N,  Y.,  jiro- 
test  against  the  removal  of  Gen,  Merritt  from  the  Collectorship 
at  New  York,  and  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Robertson,  and  claim 
that  (bo  Se.iatora  from  New  York  should  have  been  consulted, 
by  courtesy,  in  reference  to  the  contemplated  appointments  in 
tint  Scite.  As  the  President  does  not  recede  from  his  i)Osl-  j 
tion,  Messrs,  Conkling  and  Platt  announce  their  resignation  in  | 
the  Senate,  16  May;  their  letters  of  resignation  are  presented 
to  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  19,  and  balloting  for  their 
successors  begins,  31^  both  Senators  and  thrlr  friends  labor  to 
secure  their  re-election,  and  disgracefuk scenes  attend  the  pro- 
gress of  the  balloting,  which  continues  until  22  July,  when 
Elbridge  G.  Laphain  is  elected  to  succeed  Mr.  Conkling,  and 
Warner  Miller  to  succeed  Mr,  Platt, 

'Ex-Secrctary  of  State  William  M,  Evarts  and  ex-U,  S.  Sena- 
toi'S  Allen  G,  Thurman  and  Timothy  Howe  sail  for  France,  5 
April,  to  attend  tlie  International  Monetary  Conference  in  Paris, 
as  repi*csenratives  of  the  JJ.  S. 

Postmaster-General  James  begins  an  investigation  into  the 
alleged  “Star-Route"  frauds  iii  the  conveyance  of  the  mails, 
Hal'd! . He  issues  an  order  forbidding  any  increase  of  service 
or  compensation  on  any  of  the  mail  routes  without  his  sanction, 
depriving  his  assistants  of  the  power  of  granting  increases  at 
discretion.  The  publication  of  the  manner  in  which  the  Star- 
Route  service  has  been  “ expedited  " creates  a great  sensation, 
Gen.  Thomas  J,  Brady,  Second  Assistant  Postmaster-General, . 
under  these  exposures,  resigns,  20  April;  J,  L.  French,  one  of 
his  clerks,  is  removed,  26;  and  Mr.  Me  Crew,  the  Sixth  Auditor 
of  the  'rreasury  Department,  who  has  had  charge  of  the  Post 
Office  accounts,  resigns,  2 June;  a number  of  Senators,  Con- 
gressmen, and  other  prominent  men  are  implicated  in  the  frauds; 
the  prosecution  of  the  Star-Route  case  is  jilaced  in  the  hands  of 
the  Attorney-General,  who  Is  assisted  by  W.A.  Cook,  of  Wash- 
ington, j),  C.,  Honl,  H.  Brewster,  of  Philadelphia,  and  (after 
the  accession  of  IVesldent  Arthur)  George  BIIsb,  of  New 
York;  the  case  is  dismissed  by  Judge  Cox,  10  Nov.,  on  the 
ground  that  the  proceeding  by  information  cannot  be  sustained, 

Mrfl  Vinino  RAnrn-VTrkYw^’fl  ]n*nn7.A  RtntnA  nf  Admiral  . 


Mrs,  Vinilie  Ream-Hoxie’s  heroic  bronze  statue  of  Admiral 
FoiTagut,  the  first  statue  ever  cast  by  the  Government,  and  th^ 


History  of  the  United  States. 


259 


1881<>  only  statue  of  a naval  oflu  c.r  ever  ordered  by  it,  is  unveiled  at 
Wasliington,  D,  C.,  25  April. 

Prof,  Henry  Youle  Hind,  of  Windsor,  N,  S.,  an  authority  on 
the  subject  of  the  Canadian  fisheries,  creates  an  excitement, 
April,  by  appealing  to  the  Pritisli  Foreign  Office  for  permission 
to  substantiate  his  charge  of  fraud  and  forgery  preferred 
against  the  Canadian  officials  who  prepared  the  Canadian  statis- 
tics on  which  the  Halifax  Fishery  Commission  made  the  award 
of  $5,500,000  against  the  U.  S. 

The  “OEdipus  Tyrannus''  of  Sophocles  is  performed  in  the 
original  Greek,  with  classic  scenery  and  costumes,  by  the 
students  of  Harvard  at  the  University,  17  May. 

The  IJ.  S.  Senate  adjourns  sine  die^  20  May,  after  confirming 
all  the  important  nominations  made  by  the  President  exce])t 
that  of  William  E.  Chandler  for  Solicitor-General,  which  is 
rejected  by  a vote  of  19  to  24. 

j'ho  Navy  Department  dispatches  the  steam  whaler  Rodgers 
from  San  Francisco,  in  seach  of  the  Jeannette  nniX  other  missing 
Arctic  vessels,  15  June. 

Charles  J.  Guiteau,  a disappointed  office-seeker,  attempts  tc 
‘ remove”  President  Garfield  by  assassination,  in  the  waiting- 
room  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Kailroad  Depot  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  As  the  Presidentisabout  taking  the  cars  to  siiCnd 
a few  days  with  his  sick  wife  at  Long  Biamh,  N.  J.,  2 July, 
Guiteau  fires  two  shots  at  him,  one  of  which  takes  effect] 
he  is  immediately  arrested  and  lodged  in  the  District  Jail, 
and  letters  found  in  his  i)Ockets  show  that  he  has  premeditated 
the  murder  of  the  President.  The  wounded  President  is  removed 
to  the  White  House,  and  several  physicians  aiid  surgeons  niake 
an  examination  of  Ins  injuries  and  pronounce  them  liable  to 
terminate  fatally  within  a few  hours,  Q'he  intelligence  pro- 
duces consternation  throughout  the  country,  and  all  prepara- 
tions for  the  celebration  of  the  4th  of  July  are  abandoned. 
'J'he  surgeons  in  attendance  are.  Drs.  D.  W.  Bliss,  J.  K.  Barnes, 

^ . J.  Woodward,  and  Bobert  Keyburn,  of  Washington,  D.  C.j  - 
liir  cliief  nurse  is  Mrs.  Dr.  Edson,  of  the  same  city;  and  Drs. 
Hayes  Agnew,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Frank  "H.  Hamilton,  of. 
New  York,  are  summoned  as  consulting  surgeons.  Amidst  the 
laayers  of  Christendom  for  his  recovery,  the  condition  of  the. 
I’resident  improves  and  relapses  by  turns  until  the  close  *of 
August,  when  it  is  determined  to  remove  him  from  the  malarial 
influences  of  the  national  capital  to  the  ocean-purified  shore 
of  Long  Branch.  A special  train  is  prepared  and  the  journey 
is  made,  C Sep.,  the  distance  being  covered  in  about  7 hours,  or 
at  the  rate  of  55  miles  per  hour,  lie  stands  the  transit  well,  and 
becomes  cheerful  when  pJaced  in  a room  in  the  FrancWyii  Cot- 
tage facing  the  ocean.  While  apparently  recovering  with 
rai)idity,  he  is  suddenly  seized  with  chills,  16,  which  last  until 
the  morning  of  19,  when  oven  the  confident  Jfilss  abandons 
hope;  at  10  o'clock  that  night  ho  awakens  from  a sound  slum- 
ber, complains  of  a :iovere  pain  around  his  heart,  and  expires 
10;35,  after  an  80-day  struggle  for  life,  in  the  50th  year  of  his 
age.  The  remains  are  taken  from  Long  Branch,  21,  and  lie  in 
state  in  the  rotunda  of  the  Capitol  al  Washington  uiitU  23| 


i \ 


1881. 


1882. 


History  Cj  Lite  United  States, 


when  funeral  services  are  held.  They  roach  Cleveland,  Ohio, 

24,  and  lie  in  state  in  a memorial  pavilion  erected  on  Monument 
Square  until  26,  when  public  funeral  ceromonicf  n*o  held,  and 
the  body  is  temporarily  placed  in  the  receiving  Ault  of  Lake 
View  Cemetery.  A few  moments  after  the  dcafn  of  the  Presi- 
dent, the  mombors  of  the  Cabinet  at  Long  Hranch  notify  Vice- 
President  Arthur,  in  New  York,  of  the  event,  and  urge  him  to 
take  the  oath  of  office  without  delay;  this  oath  is  accordingly 
administered  to  him  at  ins  residence  by  Judge  John  It.  Hrady, 
between  2 and  3 o'clock  on  the  morning  of  20  Sep.  The  new 
President  hastens  to  Washington  and  makes  a call  of  condo- 
lence upon  Mrs.  Garfield.  He  issues  a proclamation  designating 
26  Sep.— the  day  of  the  funeral— as.  a day  of  fasting  ana 
prayer  throughout  the  country. 

Guiteau,  in  his  cell,  attempts  to  murder  one  of  Ids  guards, 
William  McGill,  7 Aug.  He  is  fired  at  by  one  of  his  guards,  ; 
Sergeant  John  Mason,  13  Sep.  He  is  indicted  for  murder,  7 
Oct.,  and  brought  to  trial  before  Judge  Cox,  14  Nov.,  in  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  prosecution 
is  conducted  by  U.  S.  District  Attorney  George  H.  Corkhlll, 
and  George  M.  Scoville  appears  as  Counsel  for  the  defense;  the 
trial  is  continued  during  the  remainder  ot  the  year,  the  prisoner 
being  all  the  time  demonstrative  and  abusive. 

Hon.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  soldier,  Governor,  and  U.  S.  _ 
Senator,. dies  suddenly  at  Bristol,  R.  I.,  13  Sep.,  aged  67. 

Hon.  Cliarles  J.  Folger,  Chief  Justice  of  the  New  York  Courts . 
of  Appeals,  is  sworn  into  office  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  ' ^ 

15  Nov.,  succeeding  Mr.  Windom,  who  returns  to  the  U.  S. 
Senate.  Secretary  Blaine  resigns,  15  Dec.,  and  is  succeeded  by  ~ : 
U.  S.  Senator  F.  T.  Frelinghuysen,  of  N.  J.;  and  Attorney-  ^ 


ex- 


General  MeVeagh  resigns,  and  is  succeeded  by  Hon.  Benjamin 
H.  Brewster,  of  Penn.,  16  Dec. 

The  centennial  of  the  surrender  of  the  British  army  under  ^ 
Lord  Cornwallis  is  celebrated  at  Yorktown,  Va.,  19  Nov.,  with 
elaborate  ceremonies,  in  which  the  descendants  of  French  and 
German  officers  who  served  with  Washington  participate. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $254,817,363;  the  debt 
is  $2,018,869,697;  the  imports  are  $753,240,125;  and  the  exports,  - 
$898,163,891.  ' 

The  steam  whaler  which  left  San  Francisco,  15  June, 

.last,  in  search,  of  the  Arctic  exploring  Jeannette 

burned  and  sunk  at  her  winter-quarters  in  St.  Lawrence  Bay,  1 
January. 

Particulars  are  received  early  in  Jan.  of  the  crushing  of  the  ^ 
Jeannette  in  the  ice,  in  InXitiule  77®,  longitude  167^,  on  the  11 
June  last.  The  crew  then  embarked  In  tliree  boats,  but  were  soon  v 
separated  by  wind  and  fog;  Engineer  Mellville,  with  11  men,  ’J 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  Lena  River  in  one  boat,  19  Sep.;  MTi' 
subsequently  a second  boat,  with  Commander  De  Long,  Dr. 
Ambler,  and  12  men,  reaches  another  pai-t  of  the  same  river.  . 


Mellville’s  party  make  their  way  to  Iikutsk,  and  in  Oct,,  two 


sailor’s  of  DeLong’s  party  arrive  at  Bulcour  in  search  of  aid;  -g 
the  sailors  join  Mellville’s  party,  and  all  set  off  to  rescue  De 
Long;  nothing  further  is  heard  until  a telegram  is  received  from 


History  of  the  United  States. 


261 


Mellville,  under  date  of  24  Maroli,  of  this  year,  announcing 
that  he  lias  found  Dc  Long  and  his  jiarry,  all  dead,  and  is 
continuing  in  search  of  Lieut,  Chiiip  and  the  crew  of  the  third 
boar, 

Hon,  Timothy  0.  Ilowe  is  contirrnod  as  Postmaster-General, 
6 Jan,,  succeeding  Mr,  1’.  ]j.  James, 

Ex-Judge  John  K,  J’oitcr  becomes  associated  with  the  prose- 
cution of  Guiteau;  during  the  examination  of  witnesses  the 
murderer  grows  more  violent  and  abusive,  and  is  frequently 
threatened  hy  Judge  Cox  with  removal  from  the  court  room. 
Judge  Porter  begins  his  final  address,  23  Jan,;  Judge  Cox 
charges  the  jury,  25,  and  within  half  an  hour  a verdict  of  guilty 
as  indicted  is  agreed  iqion,  The  tragedy  terminates  80  June, 
when  Guiteau  is  hanged  in  the  District  Jail, 

The  Rev,  Henry  Wt  Bellows,  D,  D.,  a distinguished  Unitarian 
minister  and  jiresident  of  the  U,  S,  Sanitary  Commission  during 
the  civil  war,  dies  at  New  York,  30  Jan,,  aged  67. 

Congress  passes  a bill  giving  Mrs.  Garfield  a ]>ension  of 
$5,000  per  annum,  which  the  President  approves,  10  Fob, 

A lire  destroys  the  business  part  of  Haverhill,  Mass,,  17  Feb,, 
entailing  a loss  of  $2,250,000,  and  affecting  282  firms  and  busi- 
ness houses,  ^ 

President  Arthur  nominates  ex-Senator  Roscoe  Conklins  to 
bo  an  Associate  Justice  of  the  U,  S.  Supreme  Court,  24  Feb, 
The  nomination  is  confirmed,  but  Mi',  Conkling  declines  three 
days  after  confirmation,  3 March,  The  vacancy  is  filled  by  the 
nomination  of  Judge  Samuel  Blatchford,  of  the  U,  S,  Circuit 
-Court,  who  is  unanimously  confirmed. 

Hon,  James  G.  Blaine  delivers  a eulogy  upon  the  late 
President  Garfield  at  the  national  memorial  services  held  in  the 
hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Washington,  D,  C,, 
27  Feb. 

Congress  passes  a bill  for  the  apportionment  of  representa- 
tion on  the  basis  of  the  census  of  1880,  Feb.,  which  incre‘'se3 
the  number  of  Representatives  to  325, 

The  second  trial  of  the  Star  Route  cases  is  called  in  the  crimi- 
nal court  at  Washington,  9 March;  Gen,  Brady’s  bail  is  fixed 
at  $20,000,  and  that  of  the  minor  conspirators  at  from  $500  to 
$^5,000.  Attorney-General  Brewster  promises  to  lead  a vigorous 
prosecution,  aided  by  George  Bliss,  of  New  York;  Col,  Robert 
G.  Ingersoll,  a personal  friend  of  the  incriminated  ex-Senatoi 
Stephen  W,  Dorsey,  is  chief  counsel  engaged  for  the  defence. 
On  the  trial  the  jury  render  a verdict  of  guilty  against  several 
of  the  alleged  minor  conspirators,  and  fail  to  agree  on  the  guilt 
of  the  principals,  11  Sep,  The  Government  makes  another 
effort  to  convict  the  principals  In  Dec.,  and  the  case  is  hardly 
opened  at  the  close  of  the  year,  ^ 

Congress  passes  an  anti-Polygamy  Bill,  drafted  by  Senator 
Edmuiids,  of  Vt.,  22  March,  which  provides  for  the  punishment 
of  polygamy  by  fine  and  imprisonment  upon  conviction,  and 
also  for  the  disfranchisement  of  polygamists. 

Henry  Vy.  Longfellow,  the  w^orld-popular  poet  and  man  of 
letters,  dies  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  24  March,  aged  75, 


1^ 


N 


^^262 


nistbry  of  the  United  States. 


^ * ' ■ 


X 1883,  Jcsso  James,  the  notorious  desperado  of  tlio  West,  !s  killed, 
by  the  Ford  broUiei*8,  at  St,  Joseph,  Mo.,  3 April, 

-X  President  Arthur  vetoes  an  anti-Chinese  Pill,  restricting 

Chinese  immigration  to  the  U,  S.  for  20  yeai-s,  and  i)r()vl(llng 
for  the  registration  of  all  Chinamen  now  in  the  country,  4 
April,  A second  and  modlrted  bill  limiting  the  restriction  to  10 
years  is  approved  by  the  President,  0 May. 

Captain  11.  W,  llowgate,  of  the  U,  S,  Signal  Offlce,  aiTested 
on  a charge  of  having  embezzled  funds  of  the  U.  S,  in  his  keei>- 
ing  as  disbursing  oflicer,  escapes  from  custody,  13  April,  and 
successfully  eludes  capture. 

Judge  Hunt,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  resigns,  April,  and  is 
appointed  U,  S.  Minister  to  Russia.  William  E,  Chandler,  of  N, 
H.,  is  nominated  as  his  successor  in  the  Navy  Department,  ami 
the  nomination  encounters  strong  opposition  in  the  Senate, 
which,  however,  confirms  it.  Secretary  of  the  Interior  Kirkwood 
also  resigns,  and  is  succeeded  by  lion,  Henry  M.  Teller,  of 
Col, 

Riilph  Waldo  Emerson,  one  of  the  most  realistic  of  Amoric'an 
authoi's,  dies  at  Concord,  Mass,,  27  A])ril,  aged  79. 

A hill  for  the  ai)pointinent  of  a Tarilf  Commission  passes 
both  Houses  of  Congress,  and  the  President,  6 May,  a])points 
Messrs,  Henry  W,  Oliver,  Jr,,  Robert  P,  Porter,  Jacob  A, 
Ambler,  John  W.  H.  Underwood,  John  L.  Hayes,  Duncan  F. 
Kenner,  and  Austin  M.  Garland  as  the  Commission.  They 
submit  an  exhaustive  report  to  Congi’ess,  4 Dec.,  which  is 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  Finance  in  the  Senate  and  the 
Committee  of  Ways  and  Means  in  the  House. 

A bill  to  extend  the  charters  of  the  national  banks  is  signed 
by  the  President,  12  July. 

The  President  vetoes  a bill  appropriating  nearly  $19,000,000 
for  the  improvement  of  rivers  and  harbors,  1 Aug.,  and  it 
is  passed  over  the  veto  on  the  following  day. 

Congress  appropriates  $57,000  for  compensation  of  President 
Garfield’s  medical  attendants,  and  an  aggregate  of  $11,413  for 
the  extra  pay  of  the  White  House  employes  during  his  illness. 

Baltimore  institutes  an  oriole  festival,  similar  to  the  Mardi 
Gras  of  New  Orleans,  12-14  Sep. 

Philadelphia  celebrates  the  bicentennial  of  the  landing  of 
William  Penn,  22-27  Oct. 

The  German  astronomers.  Profs.  Muller  and  Deichmuller, 
observe  the  transit  of  Venus,  at  the  observatory  of  Trinity 
College,  Hartford,  Conn.,  6 Dec.  / 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $254,009,448;  the 
debt  is  $1,920,467,693;  the  imports  are  $767,111,964;  and  the 
exports,  $776,720,003. 

The  House  bill  to  reduce  internal  revenue  taxation  having  boon 
adopted,  is  sent  to  the  Senate,  where  it  is  recommitted  to  the 
Committee  on  Finance,  who  report  it,  4 Jan.,  with  amendments 
embracing  a thorough  revision  of  the  tariff  based  upon  the 
report  of  the  Tarilf  Confuilsttion  ; after  several  conferences  the 
bill  Is  ado])ted  by  botli  Houses,  8 March, 

The  Newhall  House  Hotel  in  Milwaukee,  Wls.,  is  destroyed 
by  fire,  in  which  100  lives  are  lost,  10  Jajx^ 


1883. 


History  of  the  United  States.  263 

1883.  William  E,  Dodge,  a ^ominent  merchant  and  philanlhrepiat 

pf  New  Yw'k,  dies,  d Feb.,  aged  77,  :) 

lion.  Marshall  Jewell,  Conn.,  ex-Govemor  and  ex-Post- 
master-Goneral,  dies,  10  Feb.  * 

lion.  Edwin  D.  Morgan,  war  Governor  of  Now  York,  dies  in 
New  York  City,  14  Feb.,  aged  73  j his  will  bequeaths  $795,000 
0 various  charitable  and  educational  institutions. 

Hon.  Alexander  H.  Stephens,  Vice-President  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy  and  (after  the  war)  a member  of  Congress  from  -• 
Georgia,  dies  Governor  of  the  State,  at  Atlanta,  4 March,  aged 
Y3.  - 

The  Grand  Jury  of  Washington,  D,  C.,  finds  indutments 
against  Gen.  Brady  and  ex-Senator  Kellogg,  of  La.,  for  com-  . ^ 

plicity  in  the  Star-Route  frauds,  27  Mareh  : the  taking  €*f  evi- 
d mce  in  the  new  trial  closes,  12  April;  W.  W.  Ker  sums  up  for  g 
the  Government,  and  is  followed  by  Mr.  Bliss,  also  of  the  pvose- 
eiitioii,  who  speaks  seven  days,  concluding  8 May ; the  charge 
b.  e jury  is  delivered,  12  June,  and  the  jury  bring  in  a verdict  y*. 
<cf  not  guilty  as  indicted,  14. 

James  Gilllllan,  U.  S.  Treasurer,  resigns,  1 April,  and  Assist- 
ant  Treasurer  A.  U.  Wyman  is  appointed  his  successor,  , 

Peter  Cooper,  the  well-known  philanthropist  and  founder  of  x' 
the  Cooper  Institute,  dies  in  New  York,  4 April,  aged  92  ^ 

As  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  Gen,  Butler  begins  a crusade  ^ 
against  the  administration  of  the  Tewksbmy  Poor-house, 
charging  revolting  acts  upon  the  officers,  18  April ; in  a subse-'  x'f 
quent  trial  his  charges  are  not  sustained, 

^ A treaty  between  the  U.  S.  and  Corea  is  ratified  at  Seoul,  15 
: ''May.^v 

S-  G.  W.  Benjamin  ifc  appointed  fii*st  Minister  resident  and  7^:1 
Consul-General  of  the  U.  S.  in  Pei*sia,  May,  and  reaches  Teheran 
Li  June. 

The  great  suspension  bridge,  spanning  the  East  Rivef  from 
New  York  to  Brooklyn,  is  formally  opened,  24  May,  Designed  3 
by  John  A,  Roebling,  C.  E.,  work  upon  it  was  begun  3 Jan,, 

1870,  and  prosecuted,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Roebling,  under 
the  direction  of  his  son  Washington  A.  Roebling,  C,  E,  The  '3 
total  length  from  the  City  Hall,  New  York,  to  Sand  Street; 
Brooklyn,  is  5,989  feet;  the  length  of  the  main  span  is  1,595 J ft., 
the  to  .vers  are  276|  feet  high,  and  the  floor  of  the  bridge  at  th©  . 

- ^'se litre  is  135  feet  above  high-water  mark;  each  cable  is  16|  ^ 

Inches  in  diameter,  and  is  composed  of  5,000  wires,  each  one-  - 3 
eighth  inch  in  diameter;  the  total  cost  is  about  $15,600,000,  M 
wni<*li  is  borne  equally  by  the  two  cities. 

Through  the  liberality  of  W.W,  Corcoran,  the  millionaire  of  - 
Washington,  D.  C.,  the  remains  of  John  Howard  Payne,  the  - 
author  of  “Home,  Sweet  Home,’^  who  died  U,  S.  Cousulat 
Tunis,  1 April,  1852,  are  brought  to  the  U.  S.;  after  Im- 
pressive services,  in  whlcli  the  President  of  the  U,  S,,  his  CabU 
not,  and  other  distinguished  personages  take  part,  the  remahu 
ai*e  finally  deposited  in  Oak  Hill  Cemetery, Washington,  D C.,  • ^ 
iijune, 

The  U.  S,  S.  Y'xniio  '^hs^  Arcti-o  steamer  Protieui  leave  SL  '3^ 


264  History  of  the  United  States. 


1883. 


Johns,  Newfoundland,  for  the  relief  of  the  Greely  gdentlflo 
expedition  to  Lady  Franklin  Bay,  23  June. 

At  tho  close  of  the  fiscal  year,  80  June,  there  are  303,058 
pcns!onei*s  on  the  Government  l olls,  of  whom  198,048  are  army 
Invalids,  74,374  army  widows,  minor  children,  and  de|>cn(lont 
relatives,  2,468  navy  invalids,  1,007  navy  widows,  minor  chil 
dren,  and  dependent  relatives,  4,831  8ui*vivors  of  the  war  of 
1812,  and  21,330  widows  of  men  who  soi  ved  in  that  war;  the 
amount  of  all  the  pensions  is  |32,245,192,43;  the  total  amount 
paid  on  pension  account  during  the  fiscal  year  was  $60,064, 
009.23,nearly  one-half  of  which  was  for  arrears.  The  reductior 
in  the  interest-bearing  debt  during  the  year  is  $125,581,250. 
which  secures  a permanent  annual  reduction  in  the  interest 
charge  of  $5,023,401;  the  annual  charge  on  interest  account  Is 
now  $51,430,709,  a reduction  of  $99,541,291  in  18  years,  during 
which  the  principal  of  the  debt  has  been  reducecl  $1,205,340,- 
864.  Tlie  total  coinage  at  the  Philadelphia  mint  during  the  year 
amount©  to  80,691,282  pieces,  valued  at  $21,483,759. 

The  833d  year  of  tlie  existence  of  Santa  F6,  New  Mexico,  ig 
historically  observed,  2 July. 

Captain  Matthew  Webb,  the  famous  English  swimmer,  i? 
drownedin  an  attempt  to  swim  through  the  whirlpool  at  Niagara 
Falls,  24  July. 

Enoch  Pratt  executes  a deed  of  the  property  of  the  Pratt 
Pi’ee  Library  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and  gives  his  check  foi 
$833,333  to  be  invested  for  the  support  of  the  library,  July. 

President  Arthur  opens  a Southern  Industrial  Exposition  al 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  1 Aug. 

The  city  of  Galveston,  Texas,  celebrates  the  contenaiy  of 
’(tB  incorporation,  13  Aug. 

The  celebration  of  the  completion  of  the  Northern  Pacific 
'B^ilroad  is  begun  at  St.  Pauls,  JVIinn.,  3 Sep. ; the  last  spike  is 
driven  at  Independence  Gulch,  western  Montana,  8. 


President  Arthur  officially  receives  the  Corean  Ambassadors  - 
in  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel,  New  York,  18  Sep, 

The  reduction  in  the  rate  of  letter  postage  from  tnree  cents  tc 
two  goes  into  effect,  1 Oct. 

The  centennial  convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  In  America  is  held  in  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia, 
Ijoginning  8 Oct. 

The  Exposition  buildings  at  Pittsburg,  Penn.,  with  all  their 
contents,  are  destroyed  by  fire,  8 Oct , Involving  a loss  of  $150,* 
000  on  buildings  and  $800,000  on  exhibits. 

The  blcertennial  of  the  first  German  settlement  In  the  U. 
k celebrated  at  Germantown,  Penn. , 6 Oct 

The  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  pronounces  a number  of  the 
provisions  of  tlie  Civil  lliglits  Bill  unconstitutional,  16  Oct 

The  command  of  tlio  armies  of  the  U.  8.  Is  transferred  from 
Gon,  W.  T.  Sherman,  retired  apon  ago-llrnlt,  to  Liout^Gen. 
Philip  11.  Sheridan,  1 Nov. 

Dr.  J.  Marlon  Sims,  the  gi’eat  surgeon  and  founder  of  th^ 
WeoMa’s  Hospital  In  New  Yorx,  dies,  13  Nov.,  a^ed  70. 

4 rsBurkable  trrVl^  Is  oons^.nioted  aerofv  fbr  : 


V,,„VEn^!TY  r’ 


JUstory  of'  the  Ctdte<X  States, 


286 


1883. 


Niagara  River,  and  a test  train  of  22  Ijcoinotives  and  22  loaded 
gravel  cars  passes  over  in  safety,  22  Dec.  ^ 

The  importations  of  crocke^-y  during  tlie  year  are  estimated '"S 
at  18,000,000,  an  incrcaiso  of  1^2,000,000  over  the  ])revious  year, 
due,  it  is  claimed,  to  the  construction  of  the  recent  revision  of  ^ 
the  tariff  on  crockery,  wliich  practically  gives  the  English 
manufacturers  the  advantage  of  a 10  per  cent,  reduction  in  the 
duties.  . "i. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $258,570,604  ; the  debt  ^ 
is  11,873,415,924;  the  imports  are  $751,670,305;  and  the  exports, 
$825,846,813. 

1884,  Dr  Edward  Lasker,  the  distinguished  German  Liberal,  dies  in/ 
New  York,  4 Jan  ; funeral  services  are  held  in  the  Temple 
Emanu-El,  10 ; resolutions  of  condolence  with  the  German 
people  are  adopted  in  the  National  House  of  Representatives 
and  forwarded  to  Prince  Bismarck,  to  be  laid  before  the  Parlia-  ' 
nient;  declining  to  do  so  for  political  reasons  he  returns  the 
resolutions  with  an  explanation,  16  Feb. 

Julius  llallgai  ten,  a wealthy  banker  of  New  York,  dies  at 
Davos,  Switzerland,  7 Jan.j  his  will  disposes  of  $3,000,000  to^ 
charitable  and  educational  institutions. 

The  steamship  City  of  Columbus  leaves  Boston  for  Savannah,  '•j 
16  Jan.,  and  is  wrecked  off  Gay  Head,  southwest  end  of  Mar-  ^ 
tha’s  Vineyard.  Mass..  18:  of  126  officers,  crew,  and  i)assen£r--;| 


tha’s  Vineyard,  Mass.,  18;  of  126  officers,  crew,  and  passeng- 
ers, only  29  are  saved. 

A bill  to  restore  Gen.  Fitz  Jolin  Porter  to  the  army  and  retire' 
him  with  the  rank  of  Colonel  passes  the  House,  1 P''eb.,  and^ 
the  Senate,  13  March;  it  is  vetoed  by  the  President,  2 July.  . f 
Wendell  Philli])s,  the  veteran  Abolitionist  and  orator,  dies.a* 
Boston,  2 Feb.,  aged  72.  * 

Congress  apiiropriates  $300,00u  for  the  aid  of  the  sufferei-s  by  ji 
the  western  floods,  11  Feb.,  and  grants  $200,000  additional,  15.  ':| 
A commercial  convention  between  the  U.  S.  and  Spain  is  ' 
signed,  13  Feb. 

The  remains  of  the  victims  of  the  Jeannette  Arctic  disaster,^ 
Lieut.-Commander  George  W.  DeLong,  U.  S.  N.;  Jerome  J.r 
Collins,  meteorologist;  James  M.  Ambler,  surgeon;  Walter* 
Lee,  George  W.  Boyd,  Heinrich  Knaack,  Carl  A.  Goi  tz,  Adolf 
Dressier,  and  Nelse  I vorsou,  seamen;  and  Ah  Sam,  Chinese '2 
cook,  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Haibcr  and  Master  Schnetze,U.  S.  N.,  ' 
reach  New  York,  20  Feb.;  the  official  reception  takes  i)lace, 22, 
when  the  bodies  are  taken,  in  a most  impressive  procession,  to.^' 
the  Brooklyn  Navy-yard,  ma  the  East  River  Biidge;  funeral  T 
ceremonies  are  held  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  J'riuity,  New 
York,  23,  after  which  interments  are  made  according  ^ 
wishes  of  the  relatives  of  the  deceased. 

A treaty  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico  Is  ratified  Oy  our  Son-  " 
ate,  1 March,  and  by  the  Mexican  Congress,  15  May.  : 

Cincinnati  lias  a three  days’  reign  of  mob  rule  and  terror. 
28-30  March;  the  trouble  originates  in  the  maladministration  of 
justice,  the  particular  case  being  the  rendition  by  a jury  of  a 
rerdict  of  manslaughter  against  William  Berner  in  the  face  of  1 
lihe  clearest  evidence  convicting  him  of  the  brutal  murder  of 


Wnilam  Kirk.  The  mob  first  attack  and  fire  the  jail,  wid  th^o  ^ 


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History  of  the  United  /States. 


L'304. 


hum  and  gut  the  CouiT-house  in  spite  of  tlio  presence  and  bul- 
lets of  tlie  militia;  43  are  killed,  and  120  wounded. 

Tlie  steamsliii)  Bear  sails  from  the  Ihooklyn  Navy-yard  for 
the  relief  of  tlie  Greely  Aiatic  Expedition,  24  April,  and  is 
followed  by  the  A/«;?‘rand  the  Thetis, 

Brig.-Gen.  D.  G.  Swai  n,  Judge  Advocate-General  of  the 
army,  is  charged  with  Inivino*  attempted  to  defraud  a hank- 
ing  linn  in  Wasliinoton,  and  with  failing  to  report  a!i  army 
(Mlieer  who  had  dui)heated  his  i)ay  account;  a court  of  impiiry 
is  ordered,  22  April,  and  it  re[)orts,  10  June,  in  favor  of  a trial 
by  ccmrt-maitial;  the  trial  opens,  10  Sep.,  and  the  accused  is 
tV3Jitenced  to  suspension  from  duty  for  twelve  years  on  half 
pay 

Charles  0 Conor,  the  distinguished  lawyer,  dies  at  Nantucket, 
12  May,  aged  80. 

The  National  Anti-Monopol}"  Convention  is  held  at  Ciru  ago, 
14  May,  and  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler  receives  the  Presidential  nomi- 


nation* he  also  receives  the  nomination  in  the  National  Green- 
back Convention,  28. 


The  month  of  May  is  one  of  the’gi'eat  financial  sensations  in 
New  V’ork,  First  comes  the  intelligences  of  the  failure  of  James 
R.  Keene,  who  is  said  to  have  lost  a fortune  of  |4, 000, 000;  in 
the  following  week,  the  Marine  Bank,  of  which  James  D.  Fish 
Is  president,  fails  with  heavy  liabilities;  this  causes  the  su8i>en>. 
Sion  of  the  firm  of  Grant  and  Ward,  in  which  Gen.  Grant  is 
supposed  to  be  a silent  partner,  almost  immediately,  with  liabili- 
ties estimated  at  $8,000,000;  and  the  Metropolitan  Bank  suc- 
cumbs, 14.  'Phe  Grant  and  Ward  failure  causes  the  most  excite- 
ment as  the  astounding  methods  of  Ferdinand  Ward,  the 
active  member,  come  to  light,  and  the  connection  of  James  D, 
Fish  with  the  firn.  is  developed.  Gen.  Grant  is  induced  to  bor- 
“"row  $150,000  of  William  tl.  Vanderbilt,  for  one  day,  but  the 
money  is  received  too  late  to  save  the  bankrupt  tirni.  The  Gen. 
moitgages  all  his  property  to  Mr.  Vanderbilt,  and  is  said  to 
have  lost  his  entire  savings.  A relief  fund  is  at  once  started  for 
his  benefit,  Mr.  Vanderbilt  generously  offering  to  cancel  the 
General’s  indebtedness  to  him  for  Mrs.  Grant’s  benefit,  but  the 
General  and  his  wife  decline.  Fish  and  Ward  ai*e  subsequently 
arrested,  and  locked  up  in  Ludlow  Street  jail. 

The  National  Republican  Convention  is  held  at  Chicago,  con- 
vening 8 June;  Gem  John  B.  Henderson,  of  Mo.,  is  chosen 
permanent  president.  Messrs.  Joseph  R.  Hawley,  Conn.;  John 


A.  Logan,  111.;  James  G.  Blaine,  Me.;  President  Arthur,  N.Y.; 

III  XliPfinjin  thiin-  f-iAnrorA  F.fimnnda  Vr  apa  nrn- 


John  Slierman,  Oliio;  and  George  F.  Edmunds,  Vt.,  are  pro- 
posed as  candidates  for  the  Presidential  nomination.  The  fourth 
and  last  ballot  gives  Blaine  641;  Arthur,  207;  Edmunds,  41; 
Hawley,  15;  Logan,  7;  and  Robert  T.  Lincoln,  2;  Mr,  Blaine’s 
nomination  is  tlien  made  unanimous.  Gen.  John  A.  Logan 
receives  the  nomination  for  Vice-President.  B.  F.  Jones,  of 
Penn.,  is  elected  chairman  of  the  National  Committee,  and  J, 
B.  ChafTee,  of  Col.,  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee 
The  Arctic  relief  squadron,  consisting  of  the  the  Thetis^ 
ftod  the  Alert,  which  sailed  from  New  York  in  May  under  com- 
Mand  of  Commander  W.  S.  Schley,  U.  B,  N-i  to  rescue 


History  of  the  United  States. 


im. 


A,\V,  Greely,  U.  S,  A.,  and  the  members  of  his  scientific ex]^ 
ditioii  to  Lady  Franklin  Bay,  find  Lieut.  Greely,  Sergt.  Brain- 
ard,  Serg(;ant  Fredericks,  {Sergeant  Long,  liospitaUSteward 
Beiberbeek,  and  Private  Connell  alive  near  tfie  mouth  of  Smith’s 
Sound,  22  June;  Sergt.  Ellison  is  among  the  survivors,  but  he 
dies  slioi  tly  after  the  rescue;  all  the  rest  of  the  party  are  dead. 
The  relief  squadron  reaches  Portsmouth  harbor  on  the  return,  1 
Aug,, where  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, with  several  war-vessels, 
is  in  waiting  to  greet  the  survivors;  a grand  land  demonstration 
fn  honor  of  the  rescue  takes  i>lace,  4;  the  bodies  of  the  dead 
are  brought  to  Governor’s  Island,  New  York,when,  after  affect- 
Ing  ceremonies,  the  relatives  and  friends  take  possession  of 
them  for  burial. 

The  National  Democratic  Convention  is  lield  at  Chicago, 
opening  8 July;  lion  William  F.  Vilas,  of  Wis.,  is  chosen 
permanent  |)resident,  Messrs.  Thomas  F.  Bayard,  Thomas  A. 
Hendricks,  Allan  G Thurman,  Join)  G.  Carlisle,  Grover  Cleve- 
land, Governor  Hoadley  (Ohiol,  and  Samuel  J.  llandall  ai^e 
presented  as  candidates  for  the  Presiilential  nomination,  Ontiie 
first  ballot  Mr,  Cleveland  receives  892  votes;  Mr.  Bayard  170| 
Mr  McDonald,  66:  Mr.  Randall,  78:  Mr.  Thurman,  88;  Mr, 
Carlisle,  27;  Mr,  Hoadley,  3;  and  Messrs,  Hendricks,  Tilden, 
and  R.  P.  Flower,  1 each.  On  the  fourth  day,  the  second  ballot 
mvcs  Mr,  Cleveland  688;  Mr.  Bayard, 81J;  Mr.  Hendricks,  45J; 
Mr,  ’riiurman,  4;  Mr.  Randall,  4;  andMr,  McDonald, 2,  where- 
upon the  nomination  of  Gov.  Cleveland  is  made  unanimous, 
Hon.  Thomas  A.  Hendricks  is  elected  candidate  for  the  Vice- 
Pi-esidency  Hon.  William  H,  Barnum,  of  Conn.,  is  elected 
chairman  of  the  National  Committee,  and  U.  8k  Senator  Gor-^ 
ham,  of  Md.,  chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee.^^^^'^ 

A conference  of  the  lndei>endents  is  held  im  New  York, 
under  the  presidency  of  Charles  R.  Codman,  of  Mass.,  22  July, 
at  which  the  declai5ition  is  made  tJiat  the  Independent  Repy^ 
Means  will  labor  for  the  success  of  the  Democratic  nomineeft. 

The  Prohibitionists  hold  their  National  Convention  in  Pitts- 
burg, Penn.,  28-24  July,  and  nominate  ex-Gov,  John  P,  St. 
John,  of  Kan.,  for  President^  and  William  Daniel,  of  Md.,  for  . 
Vice-President. 

The  National  Labor  Pai  ty  declare  their  intention  of  support- 
ing the  Democratic  nominees,  30  July. 

The  corner-stone  of  M Biutholdi’s  jta’^ne  of  ‘“Liberty 
Enlightening'  the  World,”  cn  Betdee's  Island,  New  York  hai’bor, 
la  laid  with  Masonic  c^nemonies,  6 Aug. 

Messrs.  Fisher  and  Mulligan  irublisli  the  Blaine  letters,  16 
September. 

The  Prime  Meridian  Conference  !a  opened  in  Washington, 
p.  C.,  1 Oct. 

Judge  Gresham,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  resigns  and  is 
appointed  Circuit  Judge  for  the  Seventh  U S Cii  cuit,  28  Oct.; 
ex-Socretary  Hugh  Me  Cullough  succeeds  him  in  the  lYeasury 
Department, 

The  Presidential  election  is  held,  4 Nov,,  and  results  in  the 
•lection  of  Messrs.  Cleveland  and  Hendricks.  The  Democratk 
ticket  receives  4^911,017  uo^mlar  fod  JiXiora]  Yotes;  Hhi 


J58  History  of  the  United  States 

1884.  Republican,  4,848,834  popular  and  182  electoral;  tbo  Greenback 
and  Anti-Monopoly  (Butler),  133,825  popular;  and  the  Proliibi- 
tloii  (St.  John),  151,809  popular;  the  Democratic  ticket  liua  a 
plurality  of  02,683  votes. 

A reciprocity  treaty  between  the  U.  S.  and  Santo  Domingo 
is  signed  at  Washington,  4 Dec, 

The  marble  cap-stone,  which  completes  the  famous  Washing- 
' ton  Monument  at  the  national  capital,  is  set,  G Dec, 

The  third  Homan  Catholic  Plenary  Council  of  Baltimore,! 
whieli  was  opened  9 Nov.,  witii  Areiibisiioi)Gil)hon8  as  Ai)ostollb 
Delegate  and  President,  closes  its  sessions,  7 Dee, 

Tlie  New  Orleans  Exposition  is  formally  opened,  16  Dec. 

The  national  expenses  for  the  yeai*are  $254,228,263;  tlie  debt 
is  $1,915,047,059:  tlio  iinporta^ve  $695, 123,955;  and  the  exports, 
$807,646,992. 

1885.  Hon,  Schuyler  Colfax,  ex-Vice-President  of  tlie  U.  S , dies 

suddenly  in  the  railroad  depot  at  Mankato,  Minn  , 13  Jan., 
aged  61. 

A bill  to  place  Gen.  Grant  on  the  retired  list  of  the  army  is 
. passed  iii  the  Senate,  14  Jan  , but  is  lost  in  the  House,  16  Feb.; 
the  House  passes  the  bill,  4 March. 

- ./  Lucille  Yseult  Dudley,  an  English  woman,  attemi)t8  to  kill 

;■  Jeremiah  O’Doiiovan  Rossa,  by  shooting  him  in  Ciiainbers  St. , 

' Kew  York,  2 l^cb  ; he  recovers;  she  is  tried  for  tiio  assaidt  and 
" : acquitted' on  the  ground  of  insanity,  80  June. 

The  Washington  Monument,  at  the  national  capital,  is  dedl- 
* cated,  21  Feb.,  the  Hon.  Robert  C.  Winthrop  delivering  the 
..  ^ " chief^ oration. 

Hon.  Grover  Cleveland  is  inaugurated  22d  President  of  the 
U.  S.,  4 March.  The  U.  8.  Senate  meets  in  special  executive 
session  the  same  day.  The  President  nominates  his  cabinet 
officers,  5,  as  follows:  Secretary  of  State,  Thomas  F.  Bay- 
ard, Del.;  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Daniel  Manning,  N.  Y,; 
Secretary  of  War,  William  C.  Endicott,  Mass.;  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  William  C. Whitney,  N.Y.;  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
L.  Q, C,  Lamar, Miss.:  Attorn^-General,  A. H. Garland,  Ark, j 
Postina' ter-General,  William  F.  Vilas,  Wis,;  the  nominations 
are  confirmed,  6, 

The  President  withdraws  the  Nicaragua  Canal  and  Spanish 
reciprocity  treaties  from  the  Senate  for  further  consideration, 
12  March,  He  issues  a proclamation,  13,  warning  all  white  set- 
tlers off  the  Oklahoma  country,  Indian  Territory . 

The  Senate  approves  the  convention  with  Mexico  for  rectify- 
ing the  boundary  and  for  pi-olonging  the  term  feu’  ra^'fying  the 
treaty  of  commerce,  19  March.  ^ 

Secretary  Whitney  asks  far  an  accounting  from  John  Roach, 
and  institutes  an  investigation,  20  March,  or  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment; this  action  is  followed  by  the^  suspension  of  Mr.  Roach. 

The  U.  S,  Supremo  Court  declares  the  constitutionality  of  the 
Edmund's  antl-nolygamy  bill,  23  March, 

Costa  Rica,  Nicaragua,  and  Salvador  form  an  alliance  to 
resist  the  Ih'eaident  of  Guatemala,  who  crosses  the  frontier  of 
Salvador  with  15,000  men,  28  March:  the  Insui^ents  bm-n  As- 
pin  wall,  1 April,  and  U.  S.  troops  and  marine!  are  eeut  thitber 


History  of  the  United  States, 


209 


to  protect  the  communications  between  Aspln wall  and  0©lon,  2. 
The  Central  Amei  ican  Ivcpublics  conclude  peace,  16.  A treaty 
between  the  IJ.  S.  and  the  Covornmcntof  Colombo  for  the  ioint 
l)reservation  of  order  on  the  Isthmus  Is  concluded,  3 May.  Gen* 
Prestan  is  executed  for  the  burning  of  Asi)inwall,  25  Aug, 

James  D,  Fish,  president  of  the  suspended  Marino  Bank,  €>f 
New  York,  and  secretly  connected  with  the  firm  of  Grant  and 
Ward,  is  found  guilty  on  charges  of  misappropriation  of  funds, 
11  Ai)ril,  and  is  sentenced  to  10  years’  iinprisomnent,  at  hard 
labor,  at  Sini?  Sing,  N.  Y.,  27  Juno,  . ^ 

Anthony  M,  Keiley,  of  Va.,  is  appointed  U,  S.  Minister  to 
Italy,  rSO  April.  The  Italian  Government  expresses  its  unwil- 
lingness to  receive  him,  whereupon  the  President  appoints  him 
Minister  to  Austria;  that  Government  also  declines  to  receive 
him,  upon  which  the  nomination  is  withdrawn  and  the  mission 
left  vacant. 

Ferdinand  W^rd  Is  indicted  for  his  notorious  actions  as 
active  member  of  the  suspended  lirm  of  Grant  and  Ward,  4 
June;  he  pleads  not  guilty,  6;  is  tried,  convicted,  and  sen- 
tenced to  10  years'  imprisonment  at  hard  labor,  at  Sing  Sing, 
N.Y.,  INov.  - 

A diplomatic  understanding  is  effected  between  the  U.  S. 
State  Department  and  the  British  Minister  at  Washington  for 
the  extension  of  the  pnvileges  secured  by  the  fishery  clause  of 
tlie  treaty  of  Washington  throughout  the  season  now  opened^ 
official  notice  of  which  is  given,  25  June. 

Gen,  U.  S.  Grant,  ex-President  of  the  U.  S.,  dies  at  Mc.  ^ 
Me  Gregor,  N.Y.,  23  July.,  aged  63.  He  had  beei^  suffering!! 
several  months  with  a cancer  on  the  tongue,  and  his  removal 
from  his  New  York  residence  to  Mt,  McGregor  Was  for  the  pur- 
pose of  enabling  him  to  recuperate  sufficiently  from  the  shock 
of  the  disastrous  failure  of  Grant  and  Ward  and  the  loss  of  his 
own  fortune  to  complete  the  personal  narrative  of  his  military 
career,  which  he  designed  for  the  support  of  his  family.  The 
remains  are  taken  from  Mt.  McGregor,  4 Aug.,  and  lie  in  state 
in  the  City  Hall,  New  York,  6;  Gen.  W.  S.  Hancock  is  placed^ 
In  command  of  the  funeral  ceremonies,  which  take  place,  8, 
the  remains  being  deposited  in  a temporary  tomb  erected  on  a 
site  in  Riverside  Park,  selected  by  the  family  and  presented  by 
the  city  of  New  York.  ' 

An  attack  is  made  upon  the  Chinese  at  Rock  Springs,  Wyo/ 
mlng  Territory,  2 Sep.,  when  a mob  massacres  60  of  them,  and 
forces  others  to  flee  for  their  lives;  further  assaults  are  made 
upon  them  both  at  Rock  Springs  and  Seattle,  Washington 
Torritoiy,  8;  the  representatives  of  the  Chinese  Government 
at  Washin^on  demand  that  the  ring-leaders  be  punished; 

6 Chinamen  are  murdered  in  Idaho,  21,  and  a second  outbreak 
occurs  in  Washington  Territory,  29;  the  Grand  Jury  of  Rock 
Springs  fail  to  find  indictments  against  the  peipetrators  of  the 
murders,  7 Oct.;  the  President  issues  a proclamation  against 
Chinese  outi*ages  on  the  Pacific  coast,  7 Nov.;  the  Seattle  Grand  3 
Jury  indict  13  persons  for  anti-Chinese  disturbances,  12. 

William  Page,  the  well-known  artist,  dies  at  TottenviUe.  JL 
X;  i Oct.,  aged  74 


I 


270  ■ History  of  tlk^  United  States. 

i^:-  ■■:'■ 

1885.  Flood  Rock,  near  Ilallctt’s  Point,  East  River,  New  York,  If? 
successfully  blown  up  by  Gen.  John  Newton,  U.  S.  A.,  10  Oct.* 
Gen.  George  B.  McClellan,  formerly  Cornrnander-in-Chief  of 
. the  armies  of  the  U.  S.  and  latterly  Governor  of  New  Jer- 

^ sey,  dies  suddenly  at  his  residence  on  the  Orange  Mountains.  29 

Oct.,  aged68. 

^ Galveston,  Texas,  has  a $2,500,000  conflagration,  13  Nov. 

lion.  Tliomas  A.  Hendricks,  Vice-President  of  tlie  U.  S.,  . 
^ dies  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  25  Nov.,  aged  G6. 

session  of  the  49th  Congress  is  opened,  7 Dec.;  lion, 
John  Shei-man,  of  Ohio,  is  elected  president  pro  tem  of  the 
^ Senate,  and  Hon.  John  G.  Carlisle,  of  Ky.,  speaker  of  the 
‘ llouso, 

' William  H.  Vanderbilt,  favorite  son  of  the. Commodore,  dies 

fl;.  ' suddenly  at  his  Now  York  residence,  8 Dec.,  aged  04;  ho  loaves 
: a fortune  estimated  at  $200,000,000. 

V . Senator  Hoar’s  Presidential  Succe^ion  Bill  is  passed  by  the 

Senate,  17  Dec. 

' Congress  votes  a pension  of  $5,000  per  annum  to  the  widow 

^ ' of  ex-President  Grant,  18  Dec. 

Prof.  John  C.  Draper,  of  New  York,  dies,  20  Dec.,  aged  50. 
feili  / national  expenses  for  the  year  are  $255,859,012;  the  debt 

: is  $1,907,540,580;  the  imports  are  $620,719,173;  and  the  exports, 

$784,406,414. 

1886  Senator  Hoar’s  Presidential  Succession  Bill  is  passed  in  the  House 
\ by  a vote  of  183  to  77,  15  Jan.,  and  is  approved  by  the  PresU 

, dent,  19. 

I?:  , ^ ^ The  NewYork  State  Senate  appoints  a committee,  26  Jan.,  to 

-investigate  the  methods  by  which  Jacob  Sliarp  and  others 
obtained  consent  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  of  New  York  City 
p:  to  the  construction  of  the  Broadway  Surface  Railroad;  the  com- 

mittee  engage  Hon,  Roscoe  Conkling  as  chief  counsel,  and  enter 
f.'  J'  • upon  the  investigation  promptly.  It  is  learned,  19  Feb,,  tliat 
L:.  ' « 10,000  shares  of  the  Broadway  and  Seventh  Ave.  Railroad  Co.’s 

. stock  have  been  sold  by  the  diiectors  to  a Philadelphia  syndi- 
cate;  on  the  following  day  an  injunction  is  served  upon  the 
' - directors  to  i)revent  the  transfer.  A resolution  is  introduced  into 
V"  * the  Assembly,  23,  asking  the  Attorney-General  to  take  steps  to 
V,;  have  the  charter  of  the  Co.  annulled.  A witness  before  the  ' 

- Senate  Committee,  27,  testifies  that  Jacob  Sharp  has  boasted 

‘ that  he  has  “ fixed  ” the  Aldermen,  and  the  sum  of  $400,000  is 

: mentioned  as  the  price.  Judge  Gildei*sleeve  charges  the  new 

" VV  Grand  Jury  strongly  on  the  subject  of  bribery,  2 March.  The 

" ; - Senate  Committee  make  a preliminary  report,  9,  charging  cor- 
' : .ruption  and  bribery  against  the  promoters  of  the  road.  Four 

. bills  are  immediately  introduced  to  annul  the  charter,  Henry 

W,  Jaehne,  Vice-President  of  the  Common  Council,  is  an*ested 
^ bench  warrant,  18,  for  having  confessed  to  Police  Inspec- 
tor  Byrnes  that  ho  had  received  $20,000  for  voting  for  Jacob 
Bliarp's  Broadway  surface  road  on  80  Aug.,  1884;  ho  is  ' 
indicted,  ifiaced  on  trial,  10  May,  convicted,  15,  and  sentenced, 

" 20,  to  imprisonment  for  9 years  and  10  montlis  at  hard  labor  at 
Sing  Sing,  Ex- Alderman  Charles  B.  Waite  is  taken  before  the  ■ 
1 April,  and  after  a secret  interview, William  r 


History  of  the  Vhited  States. 


1886.  P.  Kirk,  president  of  the  Council  when  the  franchise  was  voted,  ^ 
,and  James  Pearson,  an  Alderman,  are  arrested  and  indicted  ; 

• for  bribery.  William  H.  Miller  is  arrested  in  Florida,  and  . 
James  A.  Richmond,  and  Messrs.  Michael  Duffy,  A.  J,  Mo 
Quade,  K,  A.  Fullgraff,  Louis  Wendel,  Thomas  Cleary,  Thomas 
Sheils,  Patrick  Farley,  II,  L.  Sayles,  John  O’Neil,  and  Francis 
McCabe,  of  tlie  Board  of  1884,  are  aiTested,  13,  and  Cliarlcs  H.  > 
Reilly,  14;  all  are  indicted  for  bribery  and  required  to  furnish 
125,000  bail.  Under  the  direction  of  the  Attorney-General, 
John  J,  O’Brien  is  appointed  receiver  of  the  road,  17  May,  i£i 
The  House  passes  a bill  to  increase  tlie  pensions  of  widows  2 
and  dependent  survivors  of  .Uiiion  soldiers  from  $8  to  $12  per 
month,  1 Feb. 

Gen  Winfield  Scott  Hancock,  U.  S.  A.  commanding  the  --it 
Military  Department  of  the  Atlantic,  and  one  of  tlie  most  strik-  ^ 
ing  figures  in  the  civil  war  on  the  Union  side,  dies  on  Govern-  ^ 
or^  Island,  New  York,  9 Feb.,  aged  C2.  : 

Hon,  Horatio  Seymour,  ex-Governor  of  New  York,  dies  at  £ 
Utica,  12  Feb.,  aged  75.  : ^ 

A growing  discontent  among  the  hoi*se-car  drivers  and  con-  < 
ducters  in  New  York  is  developed  early  in  Feb.;  the  men  on  ; 
the  Fourth  Avenue  line  strike  against  a ne\V  time  and  pay  £ 
schedule,  17,  and  secure  their  demands  in  a few  hours;  the  3 
Eighth  and  Ninth  Avenue  lines  are  tied  up  by  order  of  the 
Empire  Protective  Association,  18.  A more  general  strike  occui-s  [ % 
4 March,  and  several  roads  determine  to  run  the  cars  at  all  haz-'  £5 
ards,  and  a few  are  run  with  great  difficulty  under  police  pro-  £ 
tection;  on  the  following  day  all  the  surface  roads  are  tied  up  -| 
State  Raih'oad  Commissioner  O’Donnell  effects  an  understand- 
ing  between  the  companies  and- their  employes,  but  it  proves 
merely  temporary;  by  the^'mldclle  of  April,  the  strike  so  extends 
that  only  two  lines  are  running.  The  most  determined  stand  is 
against  the  Third  Avenu^  line,  which  discharges  all  its  striking  J 
employes,  hires  new  ones,  and  runs  its  cars  with  two  police  ^ 
officers  on  eacJi,  to  the  close  of  the  strike. 

John  B.  Gough,  the  famous  temperance  orator,  dies  at  Frank-  £ 
fort,  Penn.,  while  on  a lecturing  tour,  17  Feb.,  aged  68 
Tlie  U.  S.  Senate  passes  a bill  appropriating  $25,000  for  a !;i 
monument  to  ex-President  Grant,  to  be  erected  in  Washington, 

23  Feb.  , . 

President  Cleveland  sends  a message  to  the  Senate,  1 March,  ~ £ 
forcibly  stating  his  views  as  to  the  right  of  that  body  to  demand  ‘I 
from  the  Executive  the  various  papers  considered  by  him  - 
in  connection  with  removals  from  office,  claiming  that  all  such 
information  is  of  a strictly  confidential  character,  to  be  used  ' * 
only  for  the  benefit  of  the  country  as  an  aid  to  the  Executive  in 
discharging  his  duty  in  the  matter  of  appointments  and  removals.  1^3 
The  Senate,  under  the  load  of  Senator  Edmunds,  decides  by  a 
majority  of  1,  that  it  has  the  right  to  call  for  all  such  docu- 
ments.  ''  . ' 

The  President  sends  a message  to  Congress,  2 March,  con-  S-t 
cerning  the  outrages  committed  upon  the  Chinese  at  Rock  1:5c 
Springs,  Wyoming  Territory,  stating,  as  his  opinion,  that  the 


the  United  States.  ' '-' 


1^^.1886. 


'’■‘I; 


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Wikr:^:-- 

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=^:^- 


' U,  S.  is  not  liable  either  by  treaty  or  international  law  for  the 
loss  of  life  and  property,  at  the  same  time  suggesting  that  it 
would  be  ill  liarmony  with  the  common  sentiment  of  humanity 
for  Congress  to  indemnify  the  sufferers. 

The  U.  S.  Senate  passes  the  Blair  Educational  Bill,  which 
provides  for  an  appropriation  of  170,000,000  to  be  distributed 
among  the  States  on  the  basis  of  tlie  illiteracy  of  persons  over 
10  years  of  age,  except  in  tlie  cases  of  the  white  and  colored 
schools,  where  it  is  to  be  distributed  on  the  basis  of  illiterate 
persons  of  scliool  age,  5 March.  , 

A general  order  is  issued,  taking  effect  6 March,  directing  the 
Knights  of  Labor  to  boycott  the  Gould  Railroad  System  in  the  . 
southwest;  as  a result  fatal  conflicts  between  the  striking  rail- 
road  men,  on  the  one  side,  and  county  officials  and  State  militia,  ; ; r 
on  the  other,  occur  at  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  1 April,  and  East  St.  ! 
Louis,  9.  Boycotting  is  resorted  to  very  generally  throughout 
the  U.  S.  during  March  and  April,  the  Knights  of  Labor  order-  "7; 
ing  the  majority  of  workingmen  to  fltrike  tor  increased  wages,  : ^ 
shorter  hours,  or  both.  r 

The  Cunard  steamship  with  846  persons  on  board,  is 

run  into  and  sunk  by  a heavily  loaded  three-masted  schooner, 
supposed  to  be  the  (JharU'i  JL  Morse^  of  Philadelphia,  off  the 
Long  Island  coast,  14  March;  the  strange  craft  sinks  almost 
immediately  after  the  collision;  all  the  i>assengers, , the  crew, ' 
and  some  of  the  mail  of  the  Oregon  are  transferred  without^ 

. accident  to  the  steamship  Fatda^  and  sent  to  New  York. . ' 

The  U.  S.' Senate  passes  a bill  for  the  admission  of  Washing- 
ion  Territory  as  a State,  10  Api  il,  77 

John  H.  Noyes,  founder  of  the  Oneida  Community,  dies  at 
Niagara  Falls,  13  April,  aged  74. 

. An  eight-hour  demonstiv^tion  is  made  by  40,000  workingmen. 

In  Chicago,  1 May;  this  is  followed  by  a general  strike,  every 
railroad  being  crippled  and  hundreds  of  manufactories  closed;  • ^ 
the  anarchists  parade  the  streets  with  red  flags;  indulge  in 


incendiary  language,  and,  precipitating  a riot,  explode  a dyna* 
b,  with  fatal  effects,  in  the  midst  of  the  police.  The 


mite  bomb,  with  fatal  effects,  in  the  midst  of  the  police,  d’he 
mob  is  repressed,  15,  and  a number  of  the  most  violent  anarch- 
ists are  arrested  and  charged  with  the. murder  of  the  police,.,: 
officei*s,  and  with  inciting  to  riot.  . 

Hon.  Grover  Cleveland,  President  of  the  U.  S.,  is  married  to 
Miss  Frankie  Folsom,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Byron  G.  Sunderland,  In 
the  Executive  Mansion,  Washington,  D.  C.,  2 June.  -g 

Most  Rev.  James  Gibbons,  Roman  Catholic  Archbishop  of  . " 
Baltimore  and  Primate  of  the  Church  in  the  U.  S.,  is  created  a / 
Cardinal  in  the  consistoiy  of  17  June,  and  is  solemnly  invested 
with  the  berretta  in  his  Cathedral,  80. 

Albany  celebrates  the  bicentenary  of  its  incorporation  as  a city  ^ 
with  Imposing  ceremonies  (16-23  July).  ^ v. 

Samuel  J.  Tilden,  ex-Governor  of  New  York,  and  Demo- 
cratic  candidate  for  President  in  1870,  dies  at  Grey  stone,  his 
country  seat  on  the  Hudson,  near  Yonkers,  N.  Y..  4 August.  -4^ 
aged  72.  , x- : ■; . ■ •' 


'‘M 


History  of  the  United  States. 


m 


The  amount  paid  by  the  U.  S.  Government  for  pensions 
during  the  year  ending  30  June  is  $63,797,831,  to  365,788 
pensioners. 

The  1st  session  of  the  49th  Congress  adjourns  (5  Aug.),  hav- 
ing passed  987  bills  and  joint  resolutions,  and  voted 
$364,783,579  for  appropriations.  President  Cleveland  has 
vetoed  115  bills,  103  being  for  private  pensions  and  6 for 
‘ public  buildings. 

Eight  of  the  Chicago  anarchists  are  found  guilty  of  murder 
(30  Aug.) ; 7 are  sentenced  to  be  hanged,  and  one  to  be 
imprisoned  for  life. 

A hurricane  in  Texas  kills  38  persons  (30  Aug.). 

A U.  S.  citizen. named  Cutting,  having  been  arrested  in 
Mexico  and  convicted  and  sentenced  for  violating  a Mexican 
statute  for  the  punishment  of  any  foreigner  who,  in  a foreign 
country,  commits  a crime  against  a Mexican  citizen.  Secretary 
of  State  Bayard  notifies  the  Mexican  Government  that  the 
application  of  such  a law  to  a U.  S.  citizen  will  not  be  tol- 
erated ; and  he  demands  Cutting’s  release.  The  Mexican 
Government,  without  withdrawing  its  claim  to  try  a U,  S. 
citizen  for  an  offence  committed  in  the  U.  S.  against  a Mex- 
ican citizen,  releases  Cutting  (33  Aug.),  as  having  been 
already  sufficiently  punished  by  his  imprisonment.  The  inter- 
national question  is  thus  left  unsettled. 

An  earthquake  shock  is  felt  throughout  a large  part  of  the 
U.  S.,  east  of  the  Mississippi  (about  10  P.M.,  81  Aug.).  It  is 
particularly  severe  at  Charleston,  8.  Ov,  where  many^  build- 
ings are  destroyed  and  61  persons  are  killed.  Other  shocks 
take  place  during  Sep.  and  Oct. ; a large  part  of  the  city  is 
destroyed,  millions  of  damage  being  done,  and  thousands  of 
people  rendered  homeless.  Subscriptions  for  their  relief  are 
taken  up  all  through  the  G.  S. 

Geronimo  and  a number  of  Apaches  surrender  (4  Sep.)  to 
Gen.  Miles,  on  Skeleton  Canyon,  Arizona,  and  are  imprisone^J 
at  Fort  Marion,  St.  Augustine,  Fla.  — — 

State  elections  give  ; in  Arkansas  (6  Sep.),  20,000  Dem, . 
majority  ; in  Vermont  (7  Sep.),  18,000  Rep.  majority ; and  in 
Maine  (13  Sep  ),  13,000  Rep.  plurality. 

In  an  international  contest  at  New  York  and  Sandy  Hook, 
for  the  America's  cup,  the  Boston  sloop  Mayflower  defeats 
the  Britishcutter  Galatea  in  two  consecutive  races  (7, 11  Sep.). 

A collision  on  the  N.  Y.,  Chicago,  and  St.  Louis  R.  R.,  30 
miles  west  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  kills  23  persons  (14  Sep.). 

John  Esten  Cooke,  author,  dies  at  “The  Briars,”  near 
Boyce,  Va.  (37  Sep.). 

A great  gale  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  causes  inundations,  and 
Sabine  Pass,  Texas,  and  Johnson’s  Bayou,  La.,  are  destroyed 
by  the  waters,  247  lives  being  lost  (12  Oct.). 

“Jake”  Sharp,  James  W.  Foshay,  James  A.  Richmond, 
and  Thomas  B.  Kerr,  of  N.  Y.  City,  are  arrested  (19  Oct.) 
on  a charge  of  bribery  in  connection  with  the  Broadway 
franchise,  N.  Y.  City. 

Bartholdi’s  statue  of  “ Liberty  Enlightening  the  World,”  • 
on  Bedloe’s  Island,  N.  Y.  Harbor,  is  formally  unveiled  with 


Vi 


History  of  the  United  States. 

imposing  ceremonies,  including  a grand  naval  parade  and  a 
procession  on  land  (28  Oct.). 

Elections  are  held  (2  Nov.)  in  all  States  except  Maine,  Ver- 
mont, and  Oregon.  The  result  is  that  the  60th  Congress  will 
probably  stand;  Democrats,  167;  Republicans,  154;  Labor, 
3;  in  place  of  Democrats,  184;  Republicans  141,  as  in  Ihe 
present  (49th)  Congress.  An  exciting  election  in  N.  Y.  City 
for  mayor  results  as  follows  : Hewitt  (Tammany  and  (’ounty 
Democracy),  90,552  ; Georg'e  (Labor  and  Irving  Hall  Demo- 
crat), 68,110;  Roosevelt  (Republican),  60,486;  Wardwell 
(Prohibition),  682. 

The  circulation  of  the  N.  Y.  World  (3  Nov.)  is  267,020  copies 
of  12  pages  each,  weighing  47,069  lbs.  The  Sunday  edition, 
12  Sep.,  is  255,100  copies,  weighing  84,580  lbs.  ; the  edition 
for  12  Dec.  weighed  94,222  lbs.  ; that  for  19  Dec.,  107.876  lbs. 
These  figures  surpass  anything  in  the  history  of  journalism. 

Arthur  J.  McQuade,  ex-alderman  of  N.  Y.  City,  is  tried  for 
bribery  in  connection  with  the  Broadway  franc  hise  (16-24 
Nov.) ; the  jury  disagree.  A second  trial  is  had  (27  Nov.- 
15  Dec.),  and  he  is  found  guilty,  and  is  sentenced  (20  Dec.)  to 
seven  years  in  the  State  prison  and  to  pay  a fine  of  .f5000. 

Chester  Allan  Arthur,  Ex-President  Of  the  U.  S.,  dies 
at  N.  Y.  City  (18  Nov.),  aged  56. 

Gen.  John  Alex.  Logan,  G.  A.  R.,  senator  from  Illinois, 
dies  at  Washington,  D.  C.  (26  Dec.),  aged  60. 

Tile  oHicial  count  on  the  Minnesota  S* ate  ticket  for  Govi  riiur 
gives  ( 1 J 1 1 ):  A.  R.  Gill  (Kep.),  107,034;  A.  A.  Araes(Dem.), 
101,431;  T.  E Childs,  (Proh.),  18,966. 

-Bishop  Horatio  Potter  dies  in  New  York  (2  Jan.),  aged  84. 
Edward  Li  Kingston  Yonmans.  editor  of  the  Popular^  bcience 
Monthly,  d^es  in  New  York,  (18  Jan  ),  aged  65. 

Senator  Edmunds  lays  his  report  on  the  Canadian  Fisheries 
Question  before  the  Senate  (19  Jaa.\  and  introduces  a Retalia- 
tion  Rijl. 

John  O’Neil,  ex- Alderman  of  New  York,  is  tried  for 
bribery  in  connection  with  the  Broadway  franchise,  found 
guilty  (1  Feb.),  and  sentenced  (11  Feb.)  to  4J  years’  imprisor' 
ment  m Sing  Sing,  and  to  a fine  of  $2,000. 

A terrible  railway  accident  occurs  on  the  Vermont  Centra. 
Railroad  near  White  River  Junction  (5  Feb.),  35  being  killed 
and  35  injured. 

Boycotting  is  declared  illegal  in  two  cases:  one  in  the 
United  States  Circuit  Court  in  New  York  City;  the  other  in 
the  Supremo  Court  of  Connecticut  (Feb.) 

The  49ih  Congress  adjourns  (4  Mar.),  having  passed  the 
Inter-State  Commerce  Bill  (21  Jan.);  the  Canadian  Retaliation 
Non-intercourse  Bill;  the  Trade-Dollar  Bill  (19  Feb.);  and 
the  Anti-Polygamy  Bill  (Feb.),  all  of  which  become  law. 

John  Cleary,  ex-Alderman  of  New  York,  is  tried  (1-23  Mar.) 
for  bribery  in  connection  with  the  Broadway  francliLe;  the 
jury  disagree  (28  Mar.),  and  Cleary  is  released  on  bail.  ^ 

The  Rev.  Hem  Ward  Beecher  dies  in  Brooklyn  (8  Mar.). 


of  apoplexy,  age 


History  of  the  United  States.  ' ' _ 2'^^ 

John  G.  Saxe,  one  of  our  most  popular  poets,  dies  (17  April). 

International  Sunday  School  Union  holds  its  Fifth  Con- 
vention in  Chicago  (1,  2,  and  3 June). 

General  rejoicings  (21  June)  amongst  English  residents  of  all 
the  chief  cities  of  America  on  account  of  the  jubilee  of  Queen 
Victoria. 

Terrible  railroad  disaster  at  Chatsworth,  Bl.  (11  Aug.).  An 
excursion  train  bound  for  the  falls  of  Niagara  is  wrecked  by 
running  over  a burning  trestle.  Not  less  than  130  lives  were 
lost. 

The  International  yacht  race  (28  Sept.)  results  in  an  easy  vic- 
tory for  the  American  center-board  sloop,  Volunteer,  over  the 
Scotch  cutter.  Thistle.  * 

President  Cleveland  and  Mrs.  Cleveland  make  a three  weeks* 
tour  of  the  Western  and  Southern  States  (1-22  Oct.)  visiting  St. 
Louis,  Chicago,  Madison,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis,  Sioux  City. 
Omaha,  Kansas  City,  Memphis,  Nashville,  Montgomery  and 
Asheville,  N.  C. 

The  Eli  Bates  Lincoln  Monument  is  unveiled  in  Lincoln  Park, 
Chicago  (22  Oct). 

The  Hon.  Elihu  B.  Washburne,  eight  years  United  States 
Minister  at  the  Court  of  France,  dies  (22  Oct.)  at  Chicago. 

Louis  Lingg,  one  of  the  condemned  anarchists,  who  was 
proved  to  be  the  manufacturer  of  the  bombs,  commits  suicide 
(9  Nov.). 

Gov.  Oglesby  commutes  the  sentences  of  Samuel  Fielden  ana 
Michel  Schwab  to  imprisonment  for  life  in  the  state  prison  at 
Joliet  (10  Nov,.). 

August  Spies,  Adolph  Fischer,  A.  B.  Parsons  and  George 
Engel,  condemned  anarchists,  are  hanged  (11  Nov.)  in  Cook 
County  Jail,  Chicago. 

The  immense  menagerie  of  P.  T.  Barnum  burns  in  its  winter 
quarters  (20  Nov.)  loss  $500,000. 

The  poet  Whittier  celebrates  (17  Dec.)  his  80th  birthday. 

Ex-Secretary  Manning  dies  (27  Dec.)  in  New  York. 

A.  Bronson  Alcott  dies  in  Boston,  (4  Mar.)  aged  80.  Louisa 
M.  Alcott,  his  daughter,  dies  (6  Mar.). 

German  Americans  mourn  the  death  (9  Mar.)  of  William  I., 
Emperor  of  Germany. 

Terrific  snow-storm  and  blizzard  in  New  York  (11-12-13  Mar.). 
Business  suspended:  many  lives  lost. 

Hon.  Roscoe  Conkling,  who  was  one  of  the  sufferers  In  the 
great  New  York  blizzard  (March  11,  12,  13),  dies  of  pneumo- 
nia contracted  in  that  terrible  storm  (April  18).  He  was  one  of 
New  York*s  most  honored  Senators. 

James  Freeman  Clarke,  the  popular  pastor  of  the  Church  of 
the  Disciples,  Boston,  dies  (June  14)  at  Jamaica  Plains,  Ma^s. 
He  was  a voluminous  writer,  and  for  many  years  a leader 
among  the  Unitarians  of  the  East. 

Gen.  Philip  Sheridan  dies  at  Nonquitt  (July  6).  He  will  be 
handed  down  to  fame  as  the  hero  of  Sheridan’s  immortal  ride. 

Rev.  Edward  P.  Roe,  one  of  the  most  popular  and  volumin- 
ous of  American  novelists  dies  at  his  home  on  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  (July  23). 


^ r y ^ History  of  the  Unitea 

1888.  Prof.  Richard  A.  Proctor,  the  renowned  astronomer  and 
scientist  dies  (Sept.  11)  in  New  York  from  Yellow  Fever. 

" The  Presidential  election  takes  place  (Nov.  6),  resulting  in 
l',  the  election  of  Gen.  Benjamin  Harrison,  of  Indiana,  to  the 

office  of  President,  and  of  Levi  P.  Morton,  of  New  York,  to 
? the  office  of  Vice-President. 

1889.  James  Russell  Lowell  receives  congratulatory  letters  from 

^ . leading  literary  men  from  all  parts  of  the  world  on  (Feb.  22) 

f the  day  on  which  he  attained  his  seventieth  year. 

Gen.  Benjamin  Harrison  is  inaugurated  President  of  the 
United  States  (March  4). 

• * By  proclamation  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  that 

part  of  the  Indian  reservation  known  as  Oklahoma  becomes  at  ' 
noon  to-day  (April  22)  a Territory.  Vast  numbers  of  enter- 
V\  prising  people  take  up  land  in  this  newly  opened  region. 

Centennial  of  the  inauguration  of  George  Washington  is 
! ;■  celebrated  (April  30)  throughout  the  whole  country.  Public 

V./  worship  is  held  in  the  churches,  the  scholars  of  the  public 

V'  schools  each  receive  a medal  memorial  of  the  day.  Public 

meetings  are  held  and  orations  ar%  delivered  in  all  the  cities 
4 , and  villages  of  the  nation. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS -URBANA 


